plural noun
More than one flying insect with large, often colorful wings.
I saw many colorful butterflies in the garden.
Butterflies fluttered around the flowers in the park.
American English
How to pronounce butterflies
nounA1Common word
BUHderflaiz
/ˈbə.ɾɚˌflaɪz/
3 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of butterfly
More than one flying insect with large, often colorful wings.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
plural noun
A feeling of nervous excitement in your stomach, especially before something important.
I had butterflies before my job interview.
She gets butterflies when she speaks in public.
Useful expressions
A person who enjoys meeting and talking to many people.
Maya is a social butterfly at parties.
The idea that a small change can have a large effect later.
The butterfly effect is hard to predict.
Related words & forms
The plural is butterflies, not butterflys.