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.
Alluding to the attack only in the title, Anedda notes a few events showing the effects, patterns and tasks of an illustrator, the men seeking martyrdom, as well as the earthworms, gnats and the snail working the soil. — Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 Inspectors observed live roach activity, gnats inside the establishment and food residue on equipment and kitchen walls. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026 Position these traps near your plants to catch adult gnats and reduce egg laying. — Leah Chester-Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026 This is especially helpful in gnat-prone areas, Carpenter says. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 28 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 Sep. 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

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

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
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All