Gnat

Pronunciation: /næt/

Definitions of gnat

noun a type of insect belonging to the order Diptera and the suborder Nematocera

Example Sentences

A1 I saw a gnat flying around the room.

A2 The gnat landed on my arm and bit me.

B1 Gnats can be quite annoying when you're trying to enjoy a picnic.

B2 I had to use bug spray to keep the gnats away while hiking in the woods.

C1 The gnat population seems to be increasing in this area due to the warm weather.

C2 Entomologists are studying the behavior of gnats to better understand their role in the ecosystem.

Examples of gnat in a Sentence

formal The gnat is a small flying insect that can be found near bodies of water.

informal I can't stand those annoying gnats buzzing around my head.

slang I swatted that gnat out of the air before it could bite me.

figurative The small mistake was like a gnat in the grand scheme of things.

Grammatical Forms of gnat

• plural: gnats
• comparative: more gnat
• superlative: most gnat
• present tense: gnats
• future tense: will gnat
• perfect tense: have gnatted
• continuous tense: is gnatting
• singular: gnat
• positive degree: gnat
• infinitive: to gnat
• gerund: gnatting
• participle: gnatted

Origin and Evolution of gnat

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'gnat' is believed to have originated from Old English 'gnæt', which is related to Old High German 'gnaz' and Dutch 'gnoet'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'gnat' has remained relatively consistent in its meaning as a small flying insect, although its usage may have become more widespread and standardized in Modern English.