firefly
noun
fire·fly
| \ ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌflī
\
\
Definition of firefly
: any of various winged nocturnal beetles (especially family Lampyridae) that produce a bright soft intermittent light by oxidation of luciferin especially for courtship purposes
Illustration of firefly
Examples of firefly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Synchronous fireflies normally appear in the park during a two-week period, from late May to mid-June. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Special fireflies put on synchronized light show in Great Smoky Mountains National Park," 29 Aug. 2019 Many of its best songs feel like luxuriating in a long summer afternoon in the country, when good friends have come by and the fireflies are just beginning to gather in the yard: the music is warm, buoying, and gently psychedelic. — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, "David Crosby Celebrates His Ornery Self in the Documentary “Remember My Name”," 16 July 2019 The Center for Biological Diversity and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, both based in Oregon, are pushing for the federal endangered species list to include its first firefly. — Washington Post, "Scientists want firefly unique to Delaware beach to be on endangered species list," 3 Aug. 2019 Delaware Bethany Beach: As thousands of people flock to Dover for Firefly Music Festival, one of the world’s rarest fireflies is battling for survival at beaches in the state. — USA TODAY, "Arthur Ashe, missing Marilyn, pacifier-eating pup: News from around our 50 states," 21 June 2019 Synchronous fireflies light up late spring with their annual stupendous display of nature. — Joe Yogerst, National Geographic, "Everything to know about Great Smoky Mountains National Park," 28 Mar. 2019 Some terrestrial critters also glow; some famously, such as fireflies, and others more under the radar, like mushrooms or beetles. — Liz Langley, National Geographic, "How bioluminescence works in nature," 2 May 2019 At the touch of a single fingertip, her nerves light like fireflies. — Barry Pearce, chicagotribune.com, "2019 Algren Awards: Grand Prize Winner: Chez Whatever," 20 July 2019 As the sun began to set, out came the fireflies, whose flickering presence proved a delight, not a nuisance. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "Athena Calderone Set the Chicest Table for the Daily Harvest x Amber Waves Farm Dinner," 15 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'firefly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for firefly
firefly
noun
English Language Learners Definition of firefly
: a small flying insect that produces a soft light
See the full definition for firefly in the English Language Learners Dictionary
firefly
noun
fire·fly
| \ ˈfīr-ˌflī
\
\
plural fireflies
Kids Definition of firefly
: a small beetle producing a soft light
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