# moth

/ˈmɔθ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/moth
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. insect

noun · CEFR B2

an insect like a butterfly that usually flies at night and is attracted to lights.

For teachers: any nocturnal lepidopteran insect, typically distinguished from butterflies by stouter bodies, duller colouring, and feathery antennae.

- A large brown moth was fluttering around the lamp on the porch.
- The researcher noted that several species of moth had evolved darker wing patterns to better camouflage themselves against soot-covered trees.

### 3. to hunt insects

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to look for or collect moths, usually for science or as a hobby.

For teachers: to search for, observe, or collect moths, typically as an entomological pursuit.

- We spent the warm summer evening mothing in the local woods.
- The biology students spent the weekend mothing near the lake to catalogue the local biodiversity for their final project.

Usage: The verb is intransitive and often used in the progressive form to describe the activity.

## Examples

- A large moth is fluttering around the lamp.
- She opened the old cedar chest only to find that a moth had ruined her favourite wool sweater.
- While many people view the moth as a mere pest, certain species possess intricate wing patterns that provide sophisticated camouflage against the bark of specific trees.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.