monarch butterfly
4
2.2
- noun
- /ˈmɒnərk ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
- US
:
mariposa monarca
- The monarch butterfly is known for its vibrant orange wings adorned with black and white patterns.
- monarch butterfly migrates
- monarch butterfly on a milkweed
- monarch butterfly caterpillar
You know the adult butterfly, monarch butterfly, they need nectar.
- You know the adult butterfly, monarch butterfly, they need nectar.
- Earlier today, as I was taking a walk, I saw what, for me at least, is the first monarch butterfly of the season here in the downtown of Milwaukee.
Examples
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That is how monarch butterflies keep from being eaten.
Fiction book (1998) -
Every October, we look forward to the monarch butterfly migration.
Blog text (9) -
Instead, I saw hundreds and hundreds of monarch butterflies.
Blog text (22) -
Do you know that the red monarch butterfly is about to go extinct?
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Monarch butterflies are popular insects.
Academic text (2002) -
For example, some researchers point out that the monarch butterflies are at risk and that more long-term studies are needed.
Blog text (23) -
I have seen no signs of any migrating monarch butterflies, but I would expect them to begin arriving in the next few weeks.
Blog text (33) -
Earlier today, as I was taking a walk, I saw what, for me at least, is the first monarch butterfly of the season here in the downtown of Milwaukee.
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The monarch butterfly navigates by a circadian clock and arrives at exactly the same spot as its grandparents once did.
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Able to tolerate the toxins in milkweed, the monarch butterfly caterpillar becomes poisonous itself after feeding on the plant for a while.
Academic text (2002)
Synonyms
12
5.8
A large orange butterfly with black and white edges that travels long distances
A large orange and black butterfly that flies long distances and whose caterpillars eat milkweed
A large orange and black North American butterfly whose caterpillars eat milkweed
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is a straightforward noun–noun composition: 'monarch' specifies the particular type and 'butterfly' names the animal, so the overall meaning is directly derivable from the parts. This kind of species name is cross-linguistically common and thus an average B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand it.
Etymology
Monarch butterfly may get its name from people who thought this large orange-and-black butterfly looked like a 'king' because of its bold, royal colors, so they called it monarch. That's why today monarch butterfly is the name of this famous migrating orange-and-black butterfly.