Definition of Bat (meaning 1 of 2 — noun)
Quick Meaning of Bat
A small animal that flies at night. Bats have wings covered with skin and usually eat insects.
Detailed Definition of Bat
a small flying mammal with wings made of skin, active at night and feeding on insects or fruit.
How to Pronounce Bat
Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).
Tip: /bæt/ — one syllable with short A sound as in 'cat'. Rhymes with 'mat', 'sat', 'hat'.
Watch out: Learners may lengthen the vowel to /beɪt/, confusing it with 'bait' — keep the short /æ/ sound.
Other Meanings of Bat
“Bat” has 2 distinct meanings in English. You’re viewing meaning #1; here are the other 1:
#2 Bat as a noun
A stick you use to hit a ball when playing sports like baseball.
swing a bat
Origin and Etymology of Bat
From Old Norse 'leðrblaka'; bat is a folk etymology from 'back'.
How to Use Bat in a Sentence
Each example shows “bat” in the meaning “A small animal that flies at night. Bats…”, with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“A bat flew past the window at dusk.”
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“Bats use echolocation to find food in the dark.”
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“The cave was full of sleeping bats hanging upside down.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Bat
Common Synonyms for Bat
Smart Synonyms for Bat — When to Use Each
- nocturnal mammal
- when describing bats in a scientific or biological
- flying mammal
- when emphasizing the unique feature that sets bats
Common Collocations with Bat
These phrases pair with “bat” in everyday English:
- fruit bat
- vampire bat
- bat wings
- bat cave
- hanging upside down
Common Mistakes When Using Bat
Even fluent speakers slip up with “bat”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: Bats is active at night.
- ✓ Correct: Bats are active at night.
- Why: Plural noun 'bats' requires plural verb 'are', not singular 'is'.
- ✗ Wrong: The bat are sleeping in the cave.
- ✓ Correct: The bat is sleeping in the cave.
- Why: Singular noun 'bat' requires singular verb 'is', not plural 'are'.
Words Confused With Bat
- Bat vs Bat (verb/sports): same spelling but different meaning — a stick used in sports like baseball
Other Forms of Bat
Frequently Asked Questions About Bat
What is the meaning of "Bat"?
A small animal that flies at night. Bats have wings covered with skin and usually eat insects.
How do you pronounce "Bat"?
The IPA is /bæt/. /bæt/ — one syllable with short A sound as in 'cat'. Rhymes with 'mat', 'sat', 'hat'.
What part of speech is "Bat"?
"Bat" is a noun at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Bat"?
Common synonyms include nocturnal mammal, flying mammal, night flyer.
How do you use "Bat" in a sentence?
For example: "A bat flew past the window at dusk."