bee
English meaning: Bee
Definition
A flying insect that collects nectar and pollen and, in many species, makes honey.
Example
“A bee moved busily among the lavender, dusting its legs with bright yellow pollen.”
Another example: “She's been as busy as a bee all morning, preparing for the party.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A neutral, everyday noun for the honey-making, pollinating insect, vital in environmental discussion. Idioms include "busy as a bee" and "a bee in one's bonnet" (an obsession). A "spelling bee" is a competition, an unrelated sense.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'bēo', of Germanic origin.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- honey bee
- busy as a bee
- bumble bee
- bee sting
- swarm of bees
- queen bee
Word Forms
bee (n); bees (pl)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B