termite Meaning & Definition
What Does Termite Mean?
Termite is a noun that means A colonial insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea; typically known for certain white-bodied species that devour and infest wood, though other species eat different plant matter, such as grasses. It is also used to mean A contemptible person. As a verb, it means Of a chimpanzee: to catch termites by inserting a stick or vine into their nest and waiting for them to climb up it.
Quick Facts About Termite
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈtɜː(ɹ).maɪt// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | white ant, termes and wood ant |
| Plural | termites |
| Verb forms | termites, termiting, termited |
Termite Definition (Noun)
- A colonial insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea; typically known for certain white-bodied species that devour and infest wood, though other species eat different plant matter, such as grasses.
- A contemptible person.
Termite as a Verb
- Of a chimpanzee: to catch termites by inserting a stick or vine into their nest and waiting for them to climb up it.
Noun
- A white-bodied, wood-consuming insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea.
Synonyms of Termite
Termite synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Termite
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Termite in a Sentence
No example sentences are available for this entry.
Word Forms & Grammar
termite (plural termites)
termite (third-person singular simple present termites, present participle termiting, simple past and past participle termited)
Words That Rhyme With Termite
Origin of Termite
Inferred singular of termites, the plural form borrowed from Latin termites, the plural of Latin termes (“woodworm”), which was used for termites by Linnaeus.
Termite Pronunciation
Termite is pronounced //ˈtɜː(ɹ).maɪt// and has 1 syllable.
Quick Answers About Termite
Is termite a noun or a verb?
Termite is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for termite?
You can replace termite with words such as white ant, termes and wood ant. See the full list of termite synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of termite?
The plural of termite is termites.
What is the past tense of termite?
The past tense of termite is termited. The present participle is termiting.