caterpillar

noun
UK: /ˈkætərpɪlər/
US: /ˈkætərˌpɪlər/

  1. A small, worm-like insect that eats leaves and later develops into a butterfly or moth.

    1. A green caterpillar was eating a leaf in the garden.
    2. The children watched as the caterpillar slowly crawled across the path towards the tree.

  2. The larva of a butterfly or moth, with a segmented body and many legs.

    1. The caterpillar munched on the leaves before forming a chrysalis.
    2. This particular species of caterpillar is known for its vibrant colors and unusual markings.

Synonyms

larva

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "caterpillar" in English means: A small, worm-like insect that eats leaves and later develops into a butterfly or moth., The larva of a butterfly or moth, with a segmented body and many legs..

The phonetic transcription of "caterpillar" is /ˈkætərpɪlər/ in British English and /ˈkætərˌpɪlər/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "caterpillar": larva.

Example usage of "caterpillar": "A green caterpillar was eating a leaf in the garden.". More examples on the page.