B1noun2K

Mosquito

UK /["/məˈskiːtəʊ//mɒˈskiːtəʊ/"]/US /["/məˈskiːtəʊ/"]/

Definition

a flying insect that bites humans and animals and drinks their blood. One type of mosquito can spread the disease malaria.

In simple words: A small flying insect that bites people and animals to drink their blood.

Examples

  • I was awake all night scratching my mosquito bites.
  • He swatted the mosquito with a newspaper.
  • Stay indoors when mosquitoes are out.
  • This strain of mosquito carries malaria and yellow fever.
  • fish that feed on mosquito larvae

Usage notes

Use 'mosquito' in everyday conversation. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. Avoid using it in very technical scientific discussions where a more specific term may be preferred.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Sounds like 'mosquito' – imagine a tiny mosquito buzzing around you on a hot summer night.

Collocations

  • infected
  • malaria
  • swarm
  • swat
  • kill
  • attract
  • fly
  • be out
  • buzz
  • bite
  • larva
  • species

Synonyms

  • insect
  • pest
  • bug

Antonyms

  • dragonfly
  • bee
  • butterfly

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'gnat' or 'fly', thinking they are the same.
  • Using the plural incorrectly; the correct form is 'mosquitoes'.
  • Mispronouncing it, especially stressing the wrong syllable.