noun
silkworm
SILK-wurm
Silkworm (noun) means a caterpillar of any of various moths that spin cocoons of silk, especially Bombyx mori, which gives most of the silk made for sale. Example: “The children kept a silkworm in a shoebox at school.”
noun
1
A caterpillar of any of various moths that spin cocoons of silk, especially Bombyx mori, which gives most of the silk made for sale.
"The children kept a silkworm in a shoebox at school."
"Silk thread is unwound from the cocoon that a silkworm has spun."
"She wrote a project about how the silkworm turns into a moth."
How to use silkworm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA silkworm is a moth caterpillar that spins a silk cocoon.
When to use it
It is an ordinary, neutral word used in everyday and scientific writing alike.
Memory tip
Write silkworm as one word, and remember that the plural is silkworms.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
earthworm →
glow-worm
Common pairings
silkworm cocoon
silkworm moth
silkworm farm
raise silkworms
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Fill the gap
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The children kept a _____ in a shoebox at school.
Etymology
Silkworm comes from Middle English silkwirm, which in turn came from the Old English word seolcwyrm. It is simply a compound of silk and worm.
Frequently asked questions
What is a silkworm?
A silkworm is a caterpillar of a moth that spins a silk cocoon. The best-known kind is Bombyx mori.
Is a silkworm really a worm?
No, it is a caterpillar, the young stage of a moth. The word worm is just part of the name.
Which silkworm gives most commercial silk?
Bombyx mori is the silkworm that provides most of the silk made commercially.
What is the meaning of silkworm?
"silkworm" (noun) means a caterpillar of any of various moths that spin cocoons of silk, especially Bombyx mori, which gives most of the silk made for sale.
