noun
larva
LAH-vuh
Larva (noun) means the early, immature form of an insect or amphibian after hatching, before it changes into its adult shape. Example: “The larva will spend weeks eating leaves before forming a chrysalis.”
noun
1
The early, immature form of an insect or amphibian after hatching, before it changes into its adult shape.
"The larva will spend weeks eating leaves before forming a chrysalis."
"Tadpoles are the larvae of frogs."
How to use larva
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe wormlike or tadpole-like young stage of an animal before it grows into its adult form.
Common mistake
The plural is "larvae," not "larvas."
Common pairings
insect larva
larval stage
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Word forms
- Plural
- larvae, larvas, larvæ
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ will spend weeks eating leaves before forming a chrysalis.
Etymology
From Latin larva, originally meaning "ghost" or "mask" — the idea being that the larval form disguises the adult creature within.
Frequently asked questions
What does “larva” mean?
The word “larva” means the early, immature form of an insect or amphibian after hatching, before it changes into its adult shape. In plain terms, the wormlike or tadpole-like young stage of an animal before it grows into its adult form.
How do you pronounce “larva”?
“Larva” is pronounced LAH-vuh (/ˈlɑɹ.və/ in IPA).
How do you use “larva” in a sentence?
Here is “larva” used in a sentence: “The larva will spend weeks eating leaves before forming a chrysalis.”
What part of speech is “larva”?
“Larva” is a noun.
Where does the word “larva” come from?
The word “larva” comes from Latin. From Latin larva, originally meaning "ghost" or "mask" — the idea being that the larval form disguises the adult creature within.
