English Meaning & Definitions
A short-lived, fragile aquatic insect of the order Ephemeroptera, characterized by delicate wings and a very brief adult stage, often lasting only a few hours or days.
- “The surface of the lake was covered in a swarm of mayflies during their brief mating season.”
- “The mayfly is a classic example of an organism that spends most of its life as a nymph underwater before emerging for a fleeting adult existence.”
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “mayfly”.
Derived from the Middle English 'may' (the month) and 'fly' (the insect). The name refers to the fact that many species of these insects emerge in large swarms during the month of May. Historically, they were also known as 'day-flies' due to their famously short adult lifespan.
Think of a fly that only lives for a 'May' day.
Frequently Asked Questions About “mayfly”
1. What is the meaning of “mayfly” in English?
In English, mayfly (noun) is defined as: “A short-lived, fragile aquatic insect of the order Ephemeroptera, characterized by delicate wings and a very brief adult stage, often lasting only a few hours or days.”.
2. How do you use “mayfly” in a sentence?
“The surface of the lake was covered in a swarm of mayflies during their brief mating season.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “mayfly”?
Derived from the Middle English 'may' (the month) and 'fly' (the insect). The name refers to the fact that many species of these insects emerge in large swarms during the month of May. Historically, they were also known as 'day-flies' due to their famously short adult lifespan.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.