Environment / A1

INS-ekt/ˈɪnsekt/

An insect is a small animal with six legs, such as a fly, an ant, or a bee. Countable: an insect, insects. A spider has eight legs — it is not an insect. A worm has no legs. Use an insect (an before i); bug is informal later American.

Meaning

A small animal with six legs, such as a fly, ant, or bee.

Examples

• “An insect is on the window.”
• “This insect bit my arm.”
• “There are insects on the flowers.”

Good to know

an insect (six legs). Contrast: spider (eight legs), worm (no legs). Examples: fly, ant, bee.

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