Pronunciation: [bˈʌtəflˌa͡ɪ] (IPA) 
The word "butterfly" is pronounced /ˈbʌtərˌflaɪ/. The first syllable is "but" and is pronounced with a short vowel sound /ʌ/. The second syllable is "ter" and has the stressed vowel sound /ə/. The final syllable is "fly" and is pronounced with a long vowel sound /aɪ/. The spelling of "butterfly" follows English phonetic rules and includes a double "t" to indicate the short vowel sound and "er" to indicate the stressed vowel sound.
A butterfly is a small to medium-sized insect that falls under the order Lepidoptera, known for its attractive and delicate wings. With a typically soft and winged body, the butterfly undergoes a complete metamorphosis, transitioning through four distinct life stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. These enchanting creatures are widely recognized for their vibrant coloration, intricate patterns, and graceful flight. Their wings, covered in small scales that give rise to their scientific name, are usually adorned with a range of colors, patterns, and markings specific to each species.
Found across the globe, butterflies inhabit diverse habitats, ranging from tropical rainforests to grasslands and meadows. They possess long, tubular mouthparts specifically adapted for sipping nectar from flowers. This feeding behavior serves a crucial role in pollination, which aids in the reproduction of various plant species.
Butterflies play an essential role in many ecosystems as both pollinators and indicators of environmental health. They are often associated with beauty, transformation, and symbolism in various cultures and have inspired countless artistic and literary works. Additionally, these charismatic insects have captured the fascination of naturalists and butterfly enthusiasts, leading to the establishment of numerous butterfly gardens and parks dedicated to their conservation and study.
1. Papilio, a day-flying lepidopterous insect. 2. Any structure, apparatus, or lesion resembling in shape a butterfly with outstretched wings, i.e., having two lateral masses with a narrow band of union.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
A common insect with large wings, so called from the colour of a yellow species.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "butterfly" has an interesting etymology. It comes from combining two Old English words: "buttorfleoge". The first part, "buttor", means "butter", and the second part, "fleoge", means "fly". This name may have originated because these insects were often seen around butter or resembled the color of butter. Over time, the two words merged and transformed into the word "butterfly" that we use today.
