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Definition of gnat

gnat

/næt/
gnat
Plural:gnats
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gnat Lexical Profile

gnat Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A broad, informal term for any tiny, annoying flying insect, such as a fruit fly or fungus gnat, particularly one that acts as a minor nuisance.

Example

"He waved his hand frantically to shoo away a gnat that was buzzing around his ear while he tried to read."

2

Any of various small, delicate, two-winged flies in the suborder Nematocera, often found hovering in large swarms near water or moist environments.

Example

"During our hike near the lake, a persistent cloud of gnats hovered just above the trail."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for gnat

• Rhymes for gnat

• Nearby Words

glue
glymur
glyptodon
gnat
gnatcatcher
gnateater
gnatwren

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'gnæt', of West Germanic origin; related to Low German 'gnatte' and German 'Gnitze' (midge). The initial 'g' became silent in modern English pronunciation.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Gnat. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/gnat
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