butterfly
UK: ˈbʌtəflaɪ | US: ˈbʌtərflaɪ
n. a flying insect with large, often brightly colored wings
n. (figurative) a person who is frivolous or unpredictable in behavior
n. (sports) a swimming stroke performed on one's chest with arms moving simultaneously
The word "butterfly" likely originated from Old English buttorflēoge, combining butere (butter) and flēoge (fly). One theory suggests it reflects the belief that butterflies stole milk or butter, while another links it to the yellow hue of some species resembling butter. The morpheme "fly" denotes its ability to move through the air. Over time, the word evolved to symbolize both the insect and metaphorical lightness or capriciousness.
A monarch butterfly landed gently on the flower.
She’s such a social butterfly, always flitting between parties.
He won the race with a powerful butterfly stroke.
The children chased the butterfly across the garden.
Butterflies are important pollinators in many ecosystems.