larval
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or in the form of a larva.
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Also larvate (of a disease) masked; not clearly defined.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of larval
From the Latin word larvālis, dating back to 1650–60. See larva, -al 1
Explanation
The most basic, original form of something — especially when you're talking about insects — can be described as larval. A caterpillar is the larval form of a butterfly. In animals that take one form before metamorphosing into their adult shape, that first, immature stage is larval. The larval phase of a frog is a tadpole, and the larval form of a fly is a tiny, white, squirming maggot. You can also use this adjective in a figurative way, for the early stage of non-insects: "My novel is really still in its larval form. It's actually just a paragraph."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
El Niño has in the past been associated with larger sablefish found closer to shore, and a higher larval abundance of rockfish.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026
To understand the contributions from circuit anatomy, Dr. Aksay and his collaborators looked to larval zebrafish.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 22, 2024
After being exposed to the stress of starvation and physical injury, the comb jellies in Soto-Angel’s care reverted back to a cydippid larval stage.
From Salon ● Nov. 10, 2024
Lead researcher Dr Martin Smith said this was a dream fossil, in part because it was preserved in its larval, or immature, stage - when its body was still developing.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2024
I even planted some milkweed, violets, and wispy salt grass for the caterpillars—you know, when butterflies are in the larval stage.
From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
