Langimage
English

cockroach

|cock/roach|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈkɑːkˌroʊtʃ/

🇬🇧

/ˈkɒkˌrəʊtʃ/

pest insect

Etymology
Etymology Information

'cockroach' originates from the Spanish word 'cucaracha', where 'cuca' meant 'bug' and 'rachar' meant 'to crack'.

Historical Evolution

'cucaracha' transformed into the English word 'cockroach' through a process of folk etymology.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a type of bug', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a small, flat-bodied insect of the order Blattodea, often considered a pest due to its tendency to infest human habitats.

The kitchen was infested with cockroaches.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/02/10 03:52