Definitions for gnat

• Definition
• Anagrams (30)

gnat gnat

Spelling: [nat]

IPA: /næt/

Gnat is a 4 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 5 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 7 points.

You can make 30 anagrams from letters in gnat (agnt).

Definitions for gnat

noun

1. any of certain small flies, especially the biting gnats or punkies of the family Ceratopogonidae, the midges of the family Chironomidae, and the black flies of the family Simuliidae.
2. British. mosquito.

Idioms

1. strain at a gnat and swallow a camel, to fuss about trifles while ignoring more serious matters.

Origin of gnat

before 900; Middle English; Old English gnæt(t); cognate with German (dial.) Gnatze

Examples for gnat

I believe that the man and the gnat are in the same predicament.

He walked round them the first time, but there was no sign of the gnat.

Some kind of fly, gnit, gnat, tick or flea of some kind...the desert kind.

The gnat lay in the roadstead off Rathmullan, beyond reach that night.

The gnat is a case in point: the water-bug, common in our ponds and ditches, is another.

Let the gnat fly as hard as he may, he will never keep up with the wind.

The charming creatures will neither strain at a camel nor swallow a gnat.

To these must be added the Druid frigate, the sloop of war, and the gnat.

I would shelter there till daylight summoned me to my post of duty on the gnat.

But this would be straining at a gnat, and swallowing a camel.