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humblebee

humblebee

7.7
A large fuzzy bee that gathers nectar from flowers
  • noun
  • /ˈhʌmbəlˌbi/
  • UK
translation icon : abejorro
  • The humblebee is essential for pollinating many flowers.

Examples

  • As the flowers opened, a humblebee gathered nectar from each blossom.

  • She watched a humblebee disappear into the foxgloves by the garden wall.

  • In old poetry, the humblebee is often praised for its industriousness.

  • I saw a humblebee buzzing around the garden.

  • As the flowers opened, a humblebee gathered nectar from each blossom.

  • She watched a humblebee disappear into the foxgloves by the garden wall.

  • The humblebee is essential for pollinating many flowers.

Synonyms

bumblebee
vshumblebee
32 2.2

A large hairy bee that buzzes loudly and moves pollen between flowers

is an alternative traditional name for the same insect
Bombus
vshumblebee
  • Specialized
7.9

A large, hairy bee that helps flowers make seeds by moving pollen

refers to the common traditional name rather than the scientific group

Surface Forms

humblebee singular
humblebees plural

Etymology

Humblebee comes from the bee's low sound: hum meaning 'a low sound' plus bee, so it is like a 'humming bee'. That's why the name fits the big, hairy, buzzing insect we now usually call the bumblebee.