Gadfly

Pronunciation: /ˈɡædˌflaɪ/

Definitions of gadfly

noun a person who annoys others or stimulates them with persistent criticism

Example Sentences

A1 The gadfly buzzed around the picnic, annoying everyone.

A2 The politician was known for being a gadfly, always questioning authority.

B1 The journalist was considered a gadfly in the industry, constantly exposing corruption.

B2 The professor was a respected gadfly in academic circles, challenging traditional beliefs.

C1 The gadfly's relentless pursuit of justice made them a hero in the eyes of many.

C2 Despite facing backlash, the gadfly continued to speak out against injustice.

Examples of gadfly in a Sentence

formal The gadfly of the group constantly questioned the validity of the research findings.

informal She's always buzzing around like a gadfly, asking too many questions.

slang Don't be such a gadfly, just go with the flow.

figurative The artist saw himself as a gadfly, challenging societal norms through his work.

Grammatical Forms of gadfly

• past tense: gadflied
• plural: gadflies
• comparative: more gadfly
• superlative: most gadfly
• present tense: gadflies
• future tense: will gadfly
• perfect tense: have gadflied
• continuous tense: is gadflying
• singular: gadfly
• positive degree: gadfly
• infinitive: to gadfly
• gerund: gadflying
• participle: gadflied

Origin and Evolution of gadfly

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'gadfly' originates from the Old English term 'gædeling', which referred to a companion or fellow. Over time, the term evolved to describe an annoying or irritating person or creature.

Evolution of the word: The term 'gadfly' has evolved from its original meaning of a companion to its current usage as a metaphor for someone who persistently annoys or provokes others to action. The word has taken on a more negative connotation over time.