A larvaAn immature animal form that comes before the adult. is an early stage in the life cycle of some animals. It usually looks very different from the adult form and must change through metamorphosisA major body change as an animal develops into another form. before becoming matureFully grown and developed, ready for adult life..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /LAR-vuh/
Easy pronunciation: LAR-vuh (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the first syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Larva Meaning
an animal in an early stage of life before it becomes an adult
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the immature free-living stage of an animal that looks very different from the adult and later changes form through metamorphosis
Example: The caterpillar is the larva of a butterfly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use "larva" to mean any young animal, but it specifically refers to certain animals with a distinct immature stage.
- Do not confuse "larva" with "lava," which is molten rock.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does larva mean?
A larva is the immature stage of an animal that changes into its adult form later, usually through metamorphosis.
Is larva singular or plural?
Larva is singular. The plural is larvae.
Can larva be used for all baby animals?
No. It is used for certain animals, especially insects and some others with a larval stage, not for all baby animals.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.