No-see-ums

Pronunciation
/noh-SEE-uhmz/
Category
Common Name
Singular
No-see-um
Plural
No-see-ums

Definition

Small biting midges belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae, known for their nearly invisible size and painful bites.

Etymology

Derived from the phrase 'no see um', referring to their tiny size which makes them difficult to see.

Example

While camping by the lake, we were bothered by swarms of no-see-ums that left our skin itchy and irritated.

Synonyms

Related Terms

Usage Notes

No-see-ums are notorious for their tiny size and painful bites, often requiring fine mesh screens to keep them at bay.