dog-day cicada: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/regional
Quick answer
What does “dog-day cicada” mean?
A type of large cicada that appears in the hottest part of summer in North America.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of large cicada that appears in the hottest part of summer in North America.
Commonly refers to annual cicadas (genus Neotibicen) whose loud buzzing songs are characteristic of midsummer heat waves; sometimes used metaphorically to evoke nostalgic summer memories or oppressive heat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is primarily American; British English speakers typically use 'cicada' generically or might refer to European species with different seasonal patterns.
Connotations
Americans: evokes specific summer soundscapes and heat. British: unfamiliar term; if recognized, carries exotic/foreign connotation.
Frequency
Common in Eastern and Midwestern US during summer; rarely used in UK where cicadas are less widespread and culturally prominent.
Grammar
How to Use “dog-day cicada” in a Sentence
The dog-day cicada [verbs] in the trees.We heard the [adjective] dog-day cicada.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; might appear in tourism marketing for summer destinations.
Academic
Used in entomology, ecology, and phenology studies of insect life cycles.
Everyday
Regional conversation about summer weather, nature sounds, or childhood memories.
Technical
Specific reference in entomological identification, ecological surveys of Hemiptera.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dog-day cicada”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dog-day cicada”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dog-day cicada”
- Spelling as 'dogday cicada' (should be hyphenated).
- Using for any cicada species regardless of emergence season.
- Pronouncing 'cicada' with hard 'c' (/kɪˈkɑːdə/) in American English (soft 'c' standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Dog-day cicadas are annual species appearing every summer. 17-year cicadas are periodical species that emerge in massive broods every 13 or 17 years.
They emerge and sing during the 'dog days' of summer – the hottest, most sultry period traditionally associated with the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star.
Primarily in North America, especially in deciduous forests, parks, and suburban areas of the eastern and central United States and parts of Canada.
They feed on xylem sap from tree roots (as nymphs underground) and from tree branches (as adults), using specialised piercing mouthparts.
A type of large cicada that appears in the hottest part of summer in North America.
Dog-day cicada is usually technical/regional in register.
Dog-day cicada: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡ deɪ sɪˈkɑːdə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɔɡ ˌdeɪ səˈkeɪdə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dog-day serenade”
- “Dog-day soundtrack”
- “Dog-day symphony”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DOG days + CICADA sound = Dog barking-like buzzing in hottest summer days.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUMMER IS A CICADA'S CONCERT; HEAT IS A CICADA'S SONG.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'dog-day' refer to in 'dog-day cicada'?