Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense bugs, present participle bugging, past tense, past participle bugged
1. countable noun [usually plural]
A bug is an insect or similar small creature.
[informal]
We noticed tiny bugs that were all over the walls.
...a bloodsucking bug which infests poor housing.
Synonyms: insect, beastie [informal], creepy-crawly [informal], gogga [South Africa, informal] More Synonyms of bug
2. countable noun
A bug is an illness which is caused by small organisms such as bacteria.
[informal]
I think I've got a bit of a stomach bug.
There was a bug going around at the club.
...the killer brain bug meningitis.
Synonyms: illness, disease, complaint, virus More Synonyms of bug
3. countable noun
If there is a bug in a computer program, there is a mistake in it.
[computing]
There is a bug in the software.
Synonyms: fault, failing, virus, error More Synonyms of bug
4. countable noun
A bug is a tiny hidden microphone which transmits what people are saying.
There was a bug on the phone.
Synonyms: bugging device, wire, listening device, phone tap More Synonyms of bug
5. verb
If someone bugs a place, they hide tiny microphones in it which transmit what people are saying.
He heard that they were planning to bug his office. [VERB noun]
I found out my phone was bugged. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: tap, eavesdrop, listen in on, wiretap More Synonyms of bug
bugginguncountable noun
...an electronic bugging device.
6. singular noun [oft noun NOUN]
You can say that someone has been bitten by a particular bug when they suddenly become very enthusiastic about something.
[informal]
I've definitely been bitten by the gardening bug.
Roundhay Park in Leeds was the place I first got the fishing bug.
Synonyms: mania, passion, rage, obsession More Synonyms of bug
7. verb
If someone or something bugs you, they worry or annoy you.
[informal]
I only did it to bug my parents. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: annoy, bother, disturb, needle [informal] More Synonyms of bug
bug in British English1
(bʌɡ)
noun
1.
any insect of the order Hemiptera, esp any of the suborder Heteroptera, having piercing and sucking mouthparts specialized as a beak (rostrum)
See also assassin bug, bedbug, chinch bug
2. mainly US and Canadian
any insect, such as the June bug or the Croton bug
3. informal
a.
a microorganism, esp a bacterium, that produces disease
b.
a disease, esp a stomach infection, caused by a microorganism
4. informal
an obsessive idea, hobby, etc; craze (esp in the phrases get the bug, be bitten by the bug, the bug bites, etc)
5. informal
a person having such a craze; enthusiast
6. (often plural) informal
an error or fault, as in a machine or system, esp in a computer or computer program
7. informal
a concealed microphone used for recording conversations, as in spying
8. US
(in poker) a joker used as an ace or wild card to complete a straight or flush
verbWord forms: bugs, bugging or bugged informal
9. (transitive)
to irritate; bother
10. (transitive)
to conceal a microphone in (a room, etc)
11. (intransitive) US
(of eyes) to protrude
Word origin
C16: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to Old English budda beetle
bug in British English2
(bʌɡ)
noun
obsolete
an evil spirit or spectre; hobgoblin
Word origin
C14 bugge, perhaps from Middle Welsh bwg ghost. See also bugbear, bugaboo
bug in British English3
(bʌɡ)
verb
a past tense and past participle of big2
Bug in British English
(Russian buk)
noun
1. Also called: Southern Bug
a river in E Europe, rising in W Ukraine and flowing southeast to the Dnieper estuary and the Black Sea. Length: 853 km (530 miles)
2. Also called: Western Bug
a river in E Europe, rising in SW Ukraine and flowing northwest to the River Vistula in Poland, forming part of the border between Poland and Ukraine. Length: 724 km (450 miles)
Bug in American English
(bug)
1.
river in S Ukraine, flowing southeastward into the Black Sea: 530 mi (853 km)
: also called Southern Bug
2.
river in W Ukraine, flowing northwestward into the Vistula near Warsaw and forming part of the border with Poland: 500 mi (805 km)
: also called Western Bug
bug in American English1
(bʌg)
noun
1.
any of an order (Hemiptera) of insects with sucking mouthparts and with forewings thickened toward the base, as a water bug or squash bug
: also called true bug
2.
any small arthropod, esp. if regarded as a pest, as a louse, cockroach, or centipede
3. US
a defect or imperfection, as in a machine or computer program
somewhat informal when used outside of a computer context
4. Informal
any microscopic organism, esp. one causing disease; germ or virus
5. US, Informal
a tiny microphone hidden to record conversation secretly
6. US, Slang
a.
an enthusiast or devotee
often used in combination
a shutterbug pursues photography as a hobby
b.
a particular enthusiasm or obsession
7. US, Slang
a small, compact automobile
8. Slang
the weight allowance (5 pounds, or 2.3 kg) granted to an apprentice jockey for one year after the riding of five winners
verb transitiveWord forms: bugged or ˈbugging US
9. Informal
to hide a microphone in (a room, etc.), as for recording a conversation secretly
10. Slang
a.
to annoy, bother, anger, etc.
b.
to confuse or puzzle
verb intransitive
11. Slang
to bulge or open wide, as in amazement
said of the eyes
Idioms:
bug off
bug out
Word origin
prob. < bug2
bug in American English2
(bʌg)
noun
Obsolete
a bugbear; hobgoblin
Word origin
ME bugge, akin to Norw dial. bugge: see big
More idioms containing
bug
be bitten by the bug
be as snug as a bug in a rug
Examples of 'bug' in a sentence
bug
There were also higher reports of vomiting bug norovirus.
The Sun (2017)
But they should wait a while until bugs get ironed out.
The Sun (2016)
She took advice about how to check her flat for bugs or recording devices.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
She says she lives for seeing me but I put her off last week with a lame excuse about having a stomach bug.
The Sun (2016)
Cases of the winter vomiting bug norovirus have closed 860 beds a day this winter compared with 211 at the same time last year.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But not so much music - unless I get the bug back.
The Sun (2016)
A family whose five-star holiday was ruined by a stomach bug have won 30,000 in damages.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This was fine until one weekend when he had a stomach bug.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Was this some kind of trick in a bugged room?
Christianity Today (2000)
When we moved in it had bed bugs.
The Sun (2012)
They are best at helping stomach lining cells fight off bugs and infections.
The Sun (2011)
But three years ago she was struck down by the deadly brain bug.
The Sun (2012)
We frequently use insects and bugs to classify ourselves and each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We can give agencies draconian new powers to bug phones and computers.
The Sun (2013)
My surgery has been full of flu and vomiting bugs.
The Sun (2009)
This led me to ask whether he uses bugs or listening devices.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There seems to be a sickness bug around the training ground.
The Sun (2015)
Police bugged the visiting room where she spoke to her parents.
The Sun (2008)
But the thugs were trapped by an electronic bug planted in their car during a probe into suspected terror links.
The Sun (2011)
The politician's staff suggested that his office was illegally bugged.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That's quite a hard bug to get rid of.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There was something that bugged me, though.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Or bugs could become resistant to it, too.
The Sun (2015)
Well, what stomach bug could possibly live in it?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It's a bit of a bug, the cougar thing.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
bug
British English: bug /bʌɡ/ NOUN
A bug is a tiny insect, especially one that causes damage.
We noticed tiny bugs that were all over the walls.
American English: bug
Arabic: بَقَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: inseto
Chinese: 小虫
Croatian: buba
Czech: obtížný hmyz
Danish: insekt
Dutch: insect
European Spanish: bicho
Finnish: ötökkä
French: insecte
German: Ungeziefer
Greek: ζωύφιο
Italian: insetto
Japanese: 虫
Korean: 벌레
Norwegian: insekt
Polish: robak
European Portuguese: insecto
Romanian: gândac
Russian: кровососущее насекомое
Latin American Spanish: bicho
Swedish: insekt
Thai: แมลง
Turkish: böcek
Ukrainian: жук
Vietnamese: con rệp
British English: bug VERB
If someone bugs a place, they hide tiny microphones in it which transmit what people are saying.
He heard that they were planning to bug his office.
American English: bug
Brazilian Portuguese: grampear
Chinese: 装窃听器
European Spanish: pinchar
French: mettre sur table d'écoute
German: verwanzen
Italian: installare microspie
Japanese: 隠しマイクを取り付ける
Korean: 도청하다
European Portuguese: instalar escutas
Latin American Spanish: pinchar
All related terms of 'bug'
big
A big person or thing is large in physical size.
bigged
to build
bigging
to build
bug off
to stop annoying someone and leave
bug out
to depart hurriedly; run away; retreat
flu bug
infection with influenza caused by a microorganism
sow bug
any of various woodlice , esp any of the genera Oniscus and Porcellio
bug-eyed
A bug-eyed person or animal has eyes that stick out.
gold bug
one who buys, or advocates buying, gold as protection against an anticipated collapse in the value of currency, stocks, etc.
June bug
any of various large brown North American scarabaeid beetles that are common in late spring and early summer , esp any of the genus Polyphylla
lace bug
a small bug of the family Tingidae, having a delicate pattern in the wing venation . They are plant feeders and include the thistle lace bugs ( Tingis cardui and T. ampliata ) and the rhododendron bug ( Stephanitis rhododendri )
lygus bug
any of a genus ( Lygus , family Miridae) of hemipterous bugs , including many that damage plants
Māori bug
a large shining black wingless cockroach of New Zealand , Platyzosteria novae-zelandiae
mealy bug
any plant-eating homopterous insect of the genus Pseudococcus and related genera, coated with a powdery waxy secretion : some species are pests of citrus fruits and greenhouse plants: family Pseudococcidae
pill bug
any of various woodlice of the genera Armadillidium and Oniscus, capable of rolling up into a ball when disturbed
pinch bug
a stag beetle
river bug
a small inflatable single-seat craft that resembles an armchair
stink bug
any of various foul-smelling insects; esp., any of a family (Pentatomidae) of hemipterous bugs with a broad , shield-shaped body
tummy bug
an (often short) illness indicating an upset digestive system with symptoms such as a sore stomach , nausea , vomiting and diarrhoea
water bug
any of various heteropterous insects adapted to living in the water or on its surface, esp any of the family Belostomatidae ( giant water bugs ), of North America, India, and southern Africa, which have flattened hairy legs
wheel bug
a large predatory North American heteropterous insect, Arilus cristatus, having a semicircular thoracic projection : family Reduviidae ( assassin bugs )
Balmain bug
a flattish edible Australian shellfish , Ibacus peronii , similar to the Moreton Bay bug
buffalo bug
→ carpet beetle
bug-hunter
a person who is interested in insects
bug-ridden
full of insects
cabbage bug
→ harlequin bug
chinch bug
a black-and-white tropical American heteropterous insect, Blissus leucopterus, that is very destructive to grasses and cereals in the US: family Lygaeidae
Croton bug
a small, winged cockroach ( Blattella germanica ); German cockroach
damsel bug
any of various bugs of the carnivorous family Nabiidae , related to the bedbugs but feeding on other insects. The larvae of some species mimic and associate with ants
debris bug
a bug of the family Cimicidae found where vegetable debris accumulates and feeding on small arthropods like springtails : related to the bedbugs
flower bug
any of a number of bugs of the family Cimicidae , related to the debris bugs but frequenting flowers and feeding on the small insects found there
ground bug
any member of a family ( Lygaeidae ) of hemipterous plant-eating insects, having generally dark bodies, sometimes marked with red, and lighter , yellowish wings
kissing bug
a North American assassin bug , Melanolestes picipes, with a painful bite , usually attacking the lips or cheeks of humans
potato bug
a black-and-yellow beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, that is a serious pest of potatoes , feeding on the leaves: family Chrysomelidae
shield bug
any shield-shaped herbivorous heteropterous insect of the superfamily Pentamoidea, esp any of the family Pentatomidae
squash bug
any of various heteropterous insects of the family Coreidae , esp a North American species, Anasa tristis , which is a pest of squash , pumpkin , and related plants
Western Bug
a river in E Europe , rising in W Ukraine and flowing southeast to the Dnieper estuary and the Black Sea. Length : 853 km (530 miles)
assassin bug
any long-legged predatory , often blood-sucking, insect of the heteropterous family Reduviidae
harlequin bug
a brightly coloured heteropterous insect, Murgantia histrionica, of the US and Central America: a pest of cabbages and related plants: family Pentatomidae
lightning bug
A lightning bug is a type of beetle that produces light from its body.
rhopalid bug
any of various hemipterous insects of the family Rhopalidae that feed chiefly on grasses and occasionally on certain trees, as the box elder
Southern Bug
a river in E Europe , rising in W Ukraine and flowing southeast to the Dnieper estuary and the Black Sea. Length : 853 km (530 miles)
millennium bug
any software problem arising from the change in date at the start of the 21st century
big up
to make important, prominent , or famous
rhododendron bug
a small bug of the family Tingidae, having a delicate pattern in the wing venation . They are plant feeders and include the thistle lace bugs ( Tingis cardui and T. ampliata ) and the rhododendron bug ( Stephanitis rhododendri )
cockchafer
any of various Old World scarabaeid beetles , esp Melolontha melolontha of Europe, whose larvae feed on crops and grasses
rose chafer
a British scarabaeid beetle , Cetonia aurata , that has a greenish-golden body with a metallic lustre and feeds on plants
Moreton Bay bug
a flattish edible shellfish , Thenus orientalis, of Northern Australian waters
carpet beetle
any of various beetles of the genus Anthrenus, the larvae of which feed on carpets , furnishing fabrics , etc: family Dermestidae
lygaeid
any of numerous , often brightly marked bugs of the family Lygaeidae, which feed on the juices of plants in both the larval and adult stages and are important pests of cultivated crops and some fruit trees
Chinese translation of 'bug'
bug
(bʌɡ)
n(c)
(esp US, = insect) 虫(蟲)子 (chóngzi) (只, zhī)
(Comput, in program) 病毒 (bìngdú) (种(種), zhǒng)
(inf, = virus) 病菌 (bìngjūn) (种(種), zhǒng)
(= hidden microphone) 窃(竊)听(聽)器 (qiètīngqì)
vt
(inf, = annoy) 烦(煩)扰(擾) (fánrǎo)
[room, telephone etc]窃(竊)听(聽) (qiètīng)
I've got or been bitten by the travel bug (inf) 我迷上了旅游(遊) (wǒ míshàngle lǚyóu)
1 (noun)
Definition
any insect
a bloodsucking bug which infests poor housing
Synonyms
insect
beastie (informal)
creepy-crawly (informal)
gogga (South Africa, informal)
The place was crawling with goggas.
2 (noun)
Definition
a minor illness caused by a germ or virus
(informal)
I think I've got a bit of a stomach bug.
Synonyms
illness
She returned to her family home to recover from an illness.
disease
illnesses such as heart disease
complaint
Eczema is a common skin complaint.
virus
infection
Ear infections are common in pre-school children.
disorder
a rare nerve disorder that can cause paralysis of the arms
sickness
a sickness that affects children
ailment
The pharmacist can assist you with the treatment of common ailments.
malaise
She complained of depression, headaches and malaise.
affliction
Hay fever is an affliction that arrives at an early age.
malady
He was stricken at twenty-one with a crippling malady.
lurgy (informal)
3 (noun)
There is a bug in the software.
Synonyms
fault
His manners always made her blind to his faults.
failing
We are often unaware of our own failings.
virus
error
NASA discovered a mathematical error in its calculations.
defect
The report pointed out the defects in the present system.
flaw
The only flaw in his character is a short temper.
blemish
the blemish on his face
imperfection
Scanners locate imperfections in the cloth.
glitch
Manufacturing glitches have limited the factory's output.
gremlin
malware
4 (noun)
Definition
a concealed microphone used for recording conversations in spying
There was a bug on the phone.
Synonyms
bugging device
wire
listening device
phone tap
hidden microphone
5 (noun)
Definition
an obsessive idea or hobby
(informal)
I've definitely been bitten by the gardening bug.
Synonyms
mania
They had a mania for travelling.
passion
She has a passion for gardening.
Mountaineering is his passion.
rage
The people are full of fear and rage.
obsession
yet another man with an obsession about football
craze
a magazine article about the latest fitness craze
fad
He does not believe that environmental concern is a passing fad.
thing (informal)
She's got a thing about red hair.
1 (verb)
Definition
to conceal a microphone in (a room or telephone)
He heard they were planning to bug his office.
Synonyms
tap
laws allowing the police to tap telephones
eavesdrop
People naturally like to eavesdrop on interesting conversations.
listen in on
wiretap
2 (verb)
Definition
to irritate or upset (someone)
(informal)
I only did it to bug my parents.
Synonyms
annoy
Try making a note of the things that annoy you.
bother
I don't know why he bothers me with this kind of rubbish.
disturb
I didn't want to disturb you.
needle (informal)
She could see that she had needled him with her constant questions.
plague
I'm not going to plague you with a lot of questions.
irritate
Their attitude irritates me.
harass
a celebrity routinely harassed by the paparazzi
hassle (informal)
The children started hassling me as soon as I sat down.
aggravate (informal)
What aggravates you most about this country?
badger
She badgered her doctor time and again, pleading with him.
gall
It was their smugness that galled her most.
nettle
I instantly regretted my remark, because it obviously nettled him.
pester
He's always hanging round and pestering me.
vex
Everything about that man vexes me.
irk
The rehearsal process irked him increasingly.
get under your skin (informal)
Her mannerisms can just get under your skin and needle you.
get on your nerves (informal)
nark (British, Australian, New Zealand, slang)
get up your nose (informal)
be on your back (slang)
piss you off (taboo, slang)
get in your hair (informal)
get on your wick (British, slang)
hack you off (informal)
subject word lists
See Bugs
Additional synonyms
in the sense of affliction
Definition
something that causes physical or mental suffering
Hay fever is an affliction that arrives at an early age.
Synonyms
misfortune,
suffering,
trouble,
trial,
disease,
pain,
distress,
grief,
misery,
plague (informal),
curse,
ordeal,
sickness,
torment,
hardship,
sorrow,
woe,
adversity,
calamity,
scourge,
tribulation,
wretchedness
in the sense of aggravate
Definition
to annoy
What aggravates you most about this country?
Synonyms
annoy,
bother,
provoke,
needle (informal),
irritate,
tease,
hassle (informal),
gall,
exasperate,
nettle,
pester,
vex,
irk,
get under your skin (informal),
get on your nerves (informal),
nark (British, Australian, New Zealand, slang),
get up your nose (informal),
be on your back (slang),
piss you off (taboo, slang),
rub (someone) up the wrong way (informal),
get in your hair (informal),
get on your wick (British, slang),
hack you off (informal)
in the sense of ailment
Definition
a slight illness
The pharmacist can assist you with the treatment of common ailments.