Word
ladybug
Phoneticsla·dy·bug, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫeɪdiˌbəɡ/
UK/lˈeɪdɪbˌʌɡ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small round red insect with black spots that helps gardens by eating tiny plant bugs.
n. a small, dome-shaped beetle, typically red or orange with black spots, belonging to the family Coccinellidae. Feeds chiefly on aphids and other plant pests, making it valued in gardens and agriculture.
Examples
“The ladybug sits on the green leaf.”
“The children watched a ladybug crawl across the leaf during their school garden visit.”
“Despite its delicate appearance, the ladybug consumes thousands of aphids in its lifetime, providing natural pest control for farmers.”
Examples
simple
“The ladybug sits on the green leaf.”
contextual
“The children watched a ladybug crawl across the leaf during their school garden visit.”
complex
“Despite its delicate appearance, the ladybug consumes thousands of aphids in its lifetime, providing natural pest control for farmers.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ladybug” in context.
Verb
01. catch ladybug
“Please do not catch the ladybug, just watch it.”
verb + noun
02. find ladybug
“I often find a ladybug in our garden.”
verb + noun
03. ladybug crawls
“The ladybug crawls slowly across the leaf.”
noun + verb
04. ladybug eats
“This ladybug eats tiny bugs that hurt plants.”
noun + verb
05. ladybug flies
“The ladybug flies away when you touch it.”
noun + verb
06. ladybug lands
“A ladybug lands on my hand in summer.”
noun + verb
Adjective
07. lucky ladybug
“They say a lucky ladybug brings good luck.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. ladybug wing
“I can see the thin ladybug wing under its shell.”
noun + noun
09. a ladybug lands on you
“If a ladybug lands on you, it brings good luck.”
10. a swarm of ladybugs
“We saw a swarm of ladybugs near the trees.”
11. a tiny red ladybug
“A tiny red ladybug is sitting on the flower.”
12. find a ladybug
“We found a ladybug under the big leaf.”
Etymology
From lady + bug, the “lady” here referring to Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. Compare German Marienkäfer, Danish mariehøne, Latvian mārīte, Macedonian бубамара (bubamara) and Spanish mariquita.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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