What does "bluebottle" mean?
Any of various blowflies of the genus Calliphora that have an iridescent metallic-blue body and make a loud buzzing noise when flying.
Bluebottle
noun, slang
noun, slang ·3 syllables ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any of various blowflies of the genus Calliphora that have an iridescent metallic-blue body and make a loud buzzing noise when flying.
- Grammar: bluebottle is listed as noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: bachelor's button, blowfly, blue bottle fly, blue bottle jellyfish.
- Usage evidence: Eccles and Bluebottle were the funniest characters on The Goon Show radio program.
How to use "bluebottle"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "bluebottle" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "bluebottle" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "bluebottle" is acting as noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of various blowflies of the genus Calliphora that have an iridescent metallic-blue body and make a loud buzzing noise when flying.
"The incredibly long body as well as the extended wings were of a gleaming purplish-gray colour: I can only liken it to that of a meat fly or common "bluebottle"."
- 2 blowfly with iridescent blue body; makes a loud buzzing noise in flight wordnet
- 3 A marine jellyfish of the genus Physalia, which includes Physalia physalis, the Portuguese man-of-war, and Physalia utriculus, the Pacific man-of-war; a man-of-war.
- 4 an annual Eurasian plant cultivated in North America having showy heads of blue or purple or pink or white flowers wordnet
- 5 A cornflower, a plant that grows in grain fields, Centaurea cyanus, with blue flowers resembling bottles.
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 A blue ant, Diamma bicolor, a parasitic wasp native to Australia.
- 7 Any of various large papilionid butterflies of the genus Graphium, also called triangles, etc.
- 8 A police officer. Australia, Ireland, UK, derogatory, slang
"I will have you as soundly swing’d for this, you bluebottle rogue!"
- 9 A bluestocking. derogatory, obsolete
"To-morrow there is a party of purple at the “blue” Miss Berry’s. Shall I go? um! — I don’t much affect your blue-bottles ; — but one ought to be civil."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Eccles and Bluebottle were the funniest characters on The Goon Show radio program."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "bluebottle"?
Common synonyms include: bachelor's button, blowfly, blue bottle fly, blue bottle jellyfish, bluebottle fly, bobby.
How do you use "bluebottle" in a sentence?
Eccles and Bluebottle were the funniest characters on The Goon Show radio program.
Etymology
From blue + bottle, after the resemblance to shiny colored-glass bottles. In noun sense 3 (“cornflower”), via Middle English blewbothel. Noun sense 6 (“police officer”) is in reference to the colour of the uniform.