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.
So far, scientists have identified only the larval stage of the mite.
From Science Daily • Jan. 28, 2026
Robison suspects that this majestic creature might have stayed there after feeding on small crustaceans and larval fish.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026
They count the larval webs or nests that the caterpillars group together to form after hatching from eggs laid on Devil's-bit Scabious.
From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025
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
The primary agent of its progressive spread is the wind; the larval, or caterpillar, stage is extremely light and can be carried to considerable heights and over great distances.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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.
