gnat

noun

ˈnat How to pronounce gnat (audio)
: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies
gnatty
ˈna-tē How to pronounce gnat (audio)
adjective

Examples of gnat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is especially helpful in gnat-prone areas, Carpenter says. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 28 July 2026 Of course, the list of invertebrates include mosquitoes, gnats, yellow flies, ticks and other biting pests, which are most annoying June through August but can be nuisances at other times of the year. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026 Health inspectors reported an abundance of gnats flying around the dry-storage and food-equipment closet areas. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026 While the lights themselves aren’t drawing in spiders, the moths, gnats, mosquitoes, and mayflies bobbing around the lights do. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gnat

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English gnætt; akin to Old English gnagan to gnaw

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gnat was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing gnat

Rhymes for gnat

See All Rhymes for gnat

Browse Nearby Words

gnash one's teeth
gnat
gnatcatcher
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gnat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gnat. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

gnat

noun
ˈnat How to pronounce gnat (audio)
: any of various small usually biting two-winged flies

Medical Definition

gnat

noun
ˈnat How to pronounce gnat (audio)
: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies (as a midge or blackfly)

More from Merriam-Webster on gnat

Nglish: Translation of gnat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gnat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All