rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymosquitoBlood-feeding insect
noun

mosquito

muh-SKEE-toh/məˈskiːtəʊ/

A small flying insect whose females typically bite and suck blood.

The mosquito rests on the skin with its slender mouthpart visible.

A realistic female mosquito in macro side profile on skin, slim body six legs slender proboscis, no blood.
Etymology
mosquSpanishfly
+itoSpanishlittle

Spanish mosca with the diminutive -ito gives 'little fly' or 'little gnat.' English adopted this small-insect name for the insect whose females bite and draw blood.

In context

Wild Confluence19:28
The mosquito alarm clock. 100 mosquitoes simultaneously suck blood and insanity.
Only the Essential: Pacific Crest Trail Documentary

More examples

  • Several mosquitoes hovered nearby.
  • A mosquito flew through the screen.
  • She watched the mosquito land.

Forms

mosquito · mosquitoes · mosquitos

Similar words

gnat
A different or broader tiny fly label.
midge
A related-looking small fly, not a mosquito.