maggot

noun

mag·​got ˈma-gət 

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

ˈma-gə-tē 

adjective

Synonyms of maggot

• whim
• bee

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

His fur was singed and bitten, his arm broken, and his mouth crawling with maggots. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025

The establishment is required to find a new pest control service because of the ongoing problem with ants, maggots and roaches on the floor of the dish area. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2025

Within an hour, those flies and other insects will lay eggs on the body, and the larvae − maggots, for the full horror-movie scenario − will then start to feed on that body. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025

On a recent day, more than 120 dogs, one cat and two monkeys were at the shelter, some of them abandoned, rescued from the streets due to aggressive behavior, or suffering from maggots or tick fever. —Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing maggot

• apple maggot

Rhymes for maggot

• agate
• fagot

Kids Definition

maggot

noun

mag·​got ˈmag-ət 

: a soft-bodied legless larva of a two-winged fly (as the housefly)

Medical Definition

maggot

noun

mag·​got ˈmag-ət 

: 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