lightning bug

NOUN

nocturnal luminescent beetle

Synonyms

WEAK

candle fly fire beetle firefly fireworm glowworm lampyrid lantern fly noctiluca

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I half-expect him to leave a trail of argent, fading light in his wake, like a lightning bug.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 15, 2016

In the end, only Phelps was an Olympics lightning bug.

From New York Times • Aug. 6, 2016

We know it as the firefly, or lightning bug, an insect that transforms the sultry summer evening into a veil laced with sequins.

From Washington Post • Jul. 5, 2016

And people have been following that lightning bug all over America.”

From Washington Times • Jan. 22, 2016

I wished on a butterfly that landed on me, on a camel-shaped cloud, on a cricket in the house, and a lightning bug glowing on my ring finger.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor