How Do You Spell ANTS?

Pronunciation: [ˈants] (IPA)

The word "ants" is spelled with four letters: A-N-T-S. The sound represented by the letter "A" is the short vowel sound represented in IPA as /æ/. The letter "N" is pronounced with the sound represented in IPA as /n/. The letter "T" is pronounced as the voiceless alveolar stop sound represented as /t/ in IPA. Finally, the letter "S" represents the unvoiced alveolar fricative sound in IPA as /s/. Altogether, the phonetic transcription of the word "ants" is /ænts/.

ANTS Meaning and Definition

  1. Ants are small insect species belonging to the family Formicidae, known for their remarkable social behavior and organized hierarchy within their colonies. These insects are characterized by their six articulated legs, segmented bodies divided into the head, thorax, and abdomen, and two antennae attached to their heads. They range in size, with the workers typically measuring between 0.08 to 1 inch in length, while the male and female ants (also known as princesses and drones, respectively) are generally larger.

    Ants are renowned for their colony-based lifestyle, which is supported by a division of labor among different members. Within a colony, one can observe different castes including the queen, who is the reproductive member responsible for laying eggs, male drones, and numerous female worker ants tasked with foraging, caring for the young, and maintaining the nest.

    Their exceptional teamwork, pheromone-based communication, and complex organization make ants one of the most successful and widespread insect groups on Earth. They predominantly inhabit terrestrial ecosystems globally, with some species even constructing elaborate nests, called ant hills or anthills, using soil, plant material, or small rocks.

    Ants play crucial roles in ecosystems, primarily through seed dispersal and soil aeration. They also help regulate populations of other organisms, such as insects, and contribute to decomposition processes by feeding on dead organic matter.

    However, some ant species can cause harm to humans or damage to agricultural crops, either by biting or releasing toxic substances. These nuisance ants are often targeted through various pest control measures.

Common Misspellings for ANTS

Etymology of ANTS

The word "ants" derives from the Old English word "ǣmette" which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*ēmaitijǭ", meaning "ant". This Proto-Germanic term is believed to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*méh₁tēr", meaning "cutter" or "biter", which is also the origin of the word "mang", an obsolete term for "ant" in certain dialects of English. The term "ants" eventually replaced the word "emmet", which was also used to refer to ants in Old English.

Idioms with the word ANTS

  • ants in pants The idiom "ants in pants" refers to a state of extreme restlessness, nervousness, or impatience. It implies a feeling of being unable to stay still or calm, as if there are literal ants crawling inside one's pants, causing discomfort and constant movement.
  • ants in the/(one's) pants The idiom "ants in the/(one's) pants" is an informal expression used to describe someone who is unable to sit still or remain calm because they are restless, excited, or full of nervous energy. It implies a feeling of constant fidgeting or an inability to relax.
  • ants in one's pants, have The idiom "ants in one's pants" means to be restless or unable to sit still, often due to nervousness or excitement. It refers to a feeling of constant restlessness or activity, as if there were ants crawling around inside one's pants.
  • have ants in the/(one's) pants The idiom "have ants in the/(one's) pants" is used to describe someone who is restless, fidgety, or unable to sit still due to excessive nervous energy or a sense of excitement.
  • have ants in pants The idiom "have ants in pants" is used to describe someone who is restless, fidgety, or unable to sit still, usually due to excitement, impatience, or nervousness.
  • have ants in your pants The idiom "have ants in your pants" means to be restless, fidgety, or unable to keep still. It usually suggests a person's inability to sit or stand without constantly moving around.
  • have ants in one’s pants The idiom "have ants in one's pants" refers to a figurative expression used to describe someone who is unable to sit still or remain calm due to restlessness, impatience, or a strong desire to be active or on the move.

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