weevil

noun

wee·​vil ˈwē-vəl 

: any of a superfamily (Curculionoidea) of beetles which have the head prolonged into a more or less distinct snout and which include many that are destructive especially as larvae to nuts, fruit, and grain or to living plants

especially : any of a family (Curculionidae) having a well-developed snout curved downward with the jaws at the tip and clubbed usually elbowed antennae

weevily adjective

or weevilly

ˈwēv-lē, 

ˈwē-və-lē 

Illustration of weevil

Examples of weevil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The same document indicates that, following the complaint, jail personnel identified the presence of weevils in a bag of beans. —María Santana, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026

Refrigerating flour slows oxidation and helps deter pests like weevils and pantry moths. —Hannah Lee Leidy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026

The weevil’s young (grubs) eat the roots, turning them into a stinky, liquid mash. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

Some common pests that may affect your orchid include weevils, sowbugs, springtails, snails, scale, thrips, mealybugs, and spider mites. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wevel, from Old English wifel; akin to Old High German wibil beetle, Old English wefan to weave

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing weevil

• alfalfa weevil
• boll weevil
• Egyptian alfalfa weevil

Rhymes for weevil

• evil
• coeval
• medieval
• primeval
• retrieval
• upheaval

Kids Definition

weevil

noun

wee·​vil ˈwē-vəl 

: any of a family of mostly small beetles that have the head long and usually curved downward to form a snout bearing the jaws at the tip and that include many that feed on and are very harmful to plants or plant products (as nuts, fruit, and grain) especially as larvae

called also snout beetle

compare boll weevil

weevily adjective

or weevilly

ˈwēv-(ə-)lē