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

Strawberries are favorite treats for many garden visitors, including weevils, slugs, snails, birds, and rodents. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2025

The red palm weevil is threatening many trees in Southern California. —Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2025

Some cooks use bay leaves in the pantry to deter moths, weevils, and other pests. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025

These critters include wood wasps and various flies, weevils and other beetles and, of course, termites, those wood-eaters extraordinaire. —Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025

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