Butterfly

/ˈbʌtə(ɹ)flaɪ/ noun verb

A flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, distinguished from moths by their diurnal activity and generally brighter colouring.

Meaning

  1. (noun) A flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, distinguished from moths by their diurnal activity and generally brighter colouring.
  2. (noun) A use of surgical tape, cut into thin strips and placed across an open wound to hold it closed. “butterfly tape”
  3. (noun) The butterfly stroke.
  4. (noun) (in plural) A sensation of excited anxiety felt in the stomach. “I get terrible butterflies before an exam.”
  5. (noun) Someone seen as being unserious and (originally) dressed gaudily; someone flighty and unreliable.
  6. (verb) To cut (food) almost entirely in half and spread the halves apart, in a shape suggesting the wings of a butterfly. “Butterfly the chicken before you grill it.”
  7. (verb) To cut strips of surgical tape or plasters into thin strips, and place across (a gaping wound) to close it.

Letter breakdown

  • Butterfly contains 9 letters: 2 vowel(s) and 7 consonant(s).
  • It uses 8 unique letters.
  • Estimated syllable count: 3.
  • Scrabble-style letter score: 17.

Synonyms

Words from these letters

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Other 9-letter words

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Words starting with BUT

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Words ending with FLY

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Reader questions

What does Butterfly mean?

A flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, distinguished from moths by their diurnal activity and generally brighter colouring.

How many letters are in Butterfly?

Butterfly has 9 letters.

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