housefly
noun
house·fly
ˈhau̇s-ˌflī 
: a cosmopolitan dipteran fly (Musca domestica) that is often about human habitations and may act as a mechanical vector of diseases (such as typhoid fever)
also
: any of various flies of similar appearance or habitat
Examples of housefly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Oriental fruit fly, which is slightly larger than a housefly at around 8 millimeters long, is generally bright yellow.
—
Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2024
The film explores the tragic romance between scientist Seth (Jeff Goldblum) and journalist Ronnie (Geena Davis), whose relationship becomes complicated when Seth accidentally fuses himself with a housefly while experimenting with a teleportation device.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023
The series follows the adventures of Lloyd B Fly, a housefly and the middle child of 451.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Jan. 2024
For comparison, the common housefly has 340,000 and the honeybee has 850,000.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2011
Tau fruit flies are about the same size as a housefly.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 1 Aug. 2023
According to a pest profile from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, an adult is approximately 7 millimeters in length, similar to a housefly, with a yellow body with black markings.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 31 July 2023
Federal, state and local agricultural officials plan to eradicate the fly, which is about the size of a housefly with black and yellow markings.
—Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2023
Venus Fly Trap As its name suggests, this carnivorous plant feeds on both houseflies and fruit flies.
—Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 13 June 2023
Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2024
The film explores the tragic romance between scientist Seth (Jeff Goldblum) and journalist Ronnie (Geena Davis), whose relationship becomes complicated when Seth accidentally fuses himself with a housefly while experimenting with a teleportation device.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023
The series follows the adventures of Lloyd B Fly, a housefly and the middle child of 451.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Jan. 2024
For comparison, the common housefly has 340,000 and the honeybee has 850,000.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2011
Tau fruit flies are about the same size as a housefly.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 1 Aug. 2023
According to a pest profile from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, an adult is approximately 7 millimeters in length, similar to a housefly, with a yellow body with black markings.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 31 July 2023
Federal, state and local agricultural officials plan to eradicate the fly, which is about the size of a housefly with black and yellow markings.
—Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2023
Venus Fly Trap As its name suggests, this carnivorous plant feeds on both houseflies and fruit flies.
—Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 13 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'housefly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of housefly was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near housefly
Cite this Entry
“Housefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/housefly. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
housefly
noun
house·fly
-ˌflī
: a two-winged fly that is common about human living places and may spread disease (as typhoid fever)
Medical Definition
housefly
noun
house·fly
-ˌflī
plural houseflies
: a cosmopolitan dipteran fly of the genus Musca (M. domestica) that is often found about human habitations and may act as a mechanical vector of diseases (as typhoid fever)
also
: any of various flies of similar appearance or habitat
More from Merriam-Webster on housefly
Nglish: Translation of housefly for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about housefly
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