firefly UK /ˈfaɪ.əˌflaɪ/US /ˈfaɪ.ɚˌflaɪ/ noun1 •Any beetle of the family Lampyridae, which exhibit bioluminescence during twilight.Fireflies are the best-known insects that produce light. […] Many fireflies use their light to communicate, particularly at mating time when males and females have to get together. — 2000 formsfireflies