English Lexicon

Ant

/ænt/
nounCEFR B1 (Intermediate)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A small insect typically living in complex colonies consisting of workers, males, and a queen.

    "A long line of ants marched across the kitchen counter toward the sugar bowl."
  2. 2

    Used colloquially or in compounds to describe something excessively industrious or numerous.

    "The busy workers moved about the factory floor like a colony of ants."

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Synonyms (3)
Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'ant' originates from the Old English 'ǣmette', which is derived from the Proto-Germanic '*aimaitō', meaning 'the eater' or 'the one who cuts'. Over time, the term evolved through various forms in Germanic languages before settling into its modern English form.

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