Definition of LADYBIRD

ladybird

Plural: ladybirds

Noun

  • A ladybug; a small, typically red-and-black spotted beetle.
  • small round bright-colored and spotted beetle that usually feeds on aphids and other insect pests
  • Any of the Coccinellidae family of beetles, typically having a round shape and red or yellow spotted elytra.

Examples

  • The word LADYBIRD fit perfectly, completing a seven-letter play for big points.

Origin / Etymology

From lady + bird, the “lady” here referring to the Virgin Mary, Jesus’ mother. Compare German Marienkäfer (literally “Mary beetle/bug”), Danish mariehøne, Latvian mārīte, Macedonian бубамара (bubamara) and Spanish mariquita. Also compare damselfly.

Synonyms

lady beetle, ladybeetle, ladybird beetle, ladybug, bishy barnabee, lady fly, ladycow

Scrabble Score: 15

ladybird: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
ladybird: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
ladybird: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

ladybird: valid Words With Friends Word