scorpion

A scorpion is a small, usually dark-colored animal with a long tail that stings its prey. It's one of those creatures people often think of as being scary.

When we talk about scorptions, we usually mean them as animals that live on land and have this infamous sting. We might use the word to describe how something or someone is very painful or annoying, but that's more of a metaphorical meaning. If you get stung by a real scorpion, it can be pretty serious – some people have an allergy to their venom, so medical help is always recommended if you've been stung.