Definition

A small, soft-bodied, legless larva that comes from certain types of flies, often found in decaying food or organic matter.

Example

The old food in the trash attracted maggots, which made the kitchen smell bad.

Conversation

Did you see that maggot crawling on the sidewalk earlier?

Yeah, it was pretty gross!

I can't believe how many of them appeared after the rain.

Nature can be strange, but it's all part of the cycle.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'maggot' originates from Old French 'maguet', which means a small fly or maggot. It is derived from the Latin 'māgō', meaning a fly. The term refers specifically to the larval stage of certain flies, particularly those that feed on decaying matter.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small 'fly' ('māgō') that turns into a 'maggot' — this helps you remember that a maggot is the larval form of a fly.

Visually Confused Words