maggot

noun

mag·​got ˈma-gət How to pronounce maggot (audio)
1
: a soft-bodied legless grub that is the larva of a dipterous insect (such as the housefly)
2
: a fantastic or eccentric idea : whim
maggoty adjective

Examples of maggot in a Sentence

The rotten meat was infested with maggots. the last maggot he got in his head resulted in a disastrous extramarital affair
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These hatch to produce maggots that burrow, or screw, into the flesh causing intense pain, injury and in some cases death to the affected animal. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025 The filmmaker discusses his adaptation of this vampire tale, stories of female desire and why putting maggots on Bill Skarsgard was a beautiful idea. Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024 If flies are present, maggots will likely follow as mature flies lay eggs daily. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Aug. 2024 Indiana made national headlines Wednesday when media reported the FBI was investigating bugs — potentially maggots — placed in the breakfast buffet at the Chicago hotel housing our state's delegates along with those of Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri and South Dakota. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for maggot 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English magot, probably alteration of mathek, maddok; akin to Middle Low German mēdeke maggot, Old Norse mathkr, Old English matha

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maggot was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near maggot

Cite this Entry

“Maggot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maggot. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

maggot

noun
mag·​got ˈmag-ət How to pronounce maggot (audio)
: a soft-bodied legless larva of a two-winged fly (as the housefly)

Medical Definition

maggot

noun
mag·​got ˈmag-ət How to pronounce maggot (audio)
: a soft-bodied legless grub that is the larva of a dipteran fly (as the housefly) and develops usually in decaying organic matter or as a parasite in plants or animals

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