butterflies

as inapprehensive
as infrightened
as inanxious
as ininsect
as inkiss
as innervousness
as intrepidation
as inlady
as instage fright
as incaterpillar
as injitters
as inosculation
as insmacker
as inunease
as inanxiety
as inkiss
as insmooch

Synonyms for butterflies

adj anxious, fearful

Antonyms for butterflies

Word Origin & History

Old English buttorfleoge, evidently butter (n.) + fly (n.), but of obscure signification. Perhaps based on the old notion that the insects (or witches disguised as butterflies) consume butter or milk that is left uncovered. Or, less creatively, simply because the pale yellow color of many species' wings suggests the color of butter. Another theory connects it to the color of the insect's excrement, based on Dutch cognate boterschijte. An overview of words for "butterfly" in various languages can be found here. Also see papillon.

Applied to persons from c.1600, originally in reference to vain and gaudy attire; by 1806 in reference to transformation from early lowly state; in reference to flitting tendencies by 1873. The swimming stroke so called from 1936. Butterflies "light stomach spasms caused by anxiety" is from 1908.

Example Sentences forbutterflies

Suddenly the noise and motion cease, and the butterflies drop dead.

All my sorrows were at once dispersed like a cloud of butterflies.

The dew in the meadows and the pearls on the wings of butterflies began to glisten.

I have frequently tried the experiment with flies and butterflies.

This was also the case in general with spiders, flies, and butterflies.

These butterflies knew well that it was only a gleam of sunshine, not a summer.

I used to run all about, chase the butterflies and everything else that came in my way.

They are as gay as butterflies in their dress, but their looks are very solemn.

And did you know that butterflies could sing like little birds?

"Aw, Ma, I want to stay up with my butterflies," the boy pleaded.

butterflies

Synonyms for butterflies

Antonyms for butterflies

More words related to butterflies

anxiety

anxious

apprehensive

frightened

jitters

nervousness