maggot
noun
mag·got ˈma-gət 
1
: a soft-bodied legless grub that is the larva of a dipterous insect (such as the housefly)
2
: a fantastic or eccentric idea : whim
maggoty
ˈma-gə-tē
adjective 
Synonyms
- bee
- caprice
- crank
- fancy
- freak
- humor
- kink
- megrim
- notion
- vagary
- vagrancy
- whim
- whimsy
- whimsey
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The rotten meat was infested with maggots. the last maggot he got in his head resulted in a disastrous extramarital affair
Recent Examples on the Web In this season alone, Natalie Portman had to drink water filtered through Grylls' underwear, Simu Liu had to resurrect a frozen maggot using the warmth of his mouth, and Florence Pugh had to repel from a helicopter into a jungle. 
Keith Langston, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2022 After an awkward dinner with Rhaenyra and a gross maggot treatment for his rotting pinky, Viserys goes on a walk with Laena. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 28 Aug. 2022 Other start-ups have tried to circumvent actual bug application by developing gels containing maggot enzymes. Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 2 June 2021 Eggs of this fly-like insect are laid on the buds and hatch to enter as yellow maggot-like larvae. Tom Maccubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2022 Using just the power of his tongue, the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star brings a maggot back to life in the latest installment of Running Wild With Bear Grylls. Keith Langston, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2022 Their dogs likely injured the gazelle’s hip and caused a fatal maggot infestation, Dejid says. Robin Lloyd, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2022 Tiffany was the most prestigious New York silver-maker, and a style-maker, too, until the 1960s, when the hippie mentality infected the yen for good living like a maggot. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 2 Apr. 2022 Burly, heavy-jowled, his country-boy persona in full flight, Carson would pantomime tearing open the wrapper, savoring the creamy center and salted peanuts, his eyes then bulging in alarm at the sight of a maggot on one end. Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2021 See More
Keith Langston, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2022 After an awkward dinner with Rhaenyra and a gross maggot treatment for his rotting pinky, Viserys goes on a walk with Laena. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 28 Aug. 2022 Other start-ups have tried to circumvent actual bug application by developing gels containing maggot enzymes. Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 2 June 2021 Eggs of this fly-like insect are laid on the buds and hatch to enter as yellow maggot-like larvae. Tom Maccubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2022 Using just the power of his tongue, the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star brings a maggot back to life in the latest installment of Running Wild With Bear Grylls. Keith Langston, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2022 Their dogs likely injured the gazelle’s hip and caused a fatal maggot infestation, Dejid says. Robin Lloyd, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2022 Tiffany was the most prestigious New York silver-maker, and a style-maker, too, until the 1960s, when the hippie mentality infected the yen for good living like a maggot. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 2 Apr. 2022 Burly, heavy-jowled, his country-boy persona in full flight, Carson would pantomime tearing open the wrapper, savoring the creamy center and salted peanuts, his eyes then bulging in alarm at the sight of a maggot on one end. Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English magot, probably alteration of mathek, maddok; akin to Middle Low German mēdeke maggot, Old Norse mathkr, Old English matha
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing maggot
Kids Definition
maggot
noun
mag·got ˈma-gət
: a legless grub that is the larva of a fly (as a housefly)
Medical Definition
maggot
noun
mag·got ˈmag-ət
: a soft-bodied legless grub that is the larva of a dipteran fly (as the housefly) and develops usually in decaying organic matter or as a parasite in plants or animals
maggot
noun
as in whim
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action the last maggot he got in his head resulted in a disastrous extramarital affair Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- whim
- bee
- freak
- megrim
- vagary
- vagrancy
- kink
- caprice
- crank
- whimsy
- notion
- humor
- fancy
- image
- whimsey
- thought
- fantasy
- bee in one's bonnet
- impression
- picture
- freakishness
- capriciousness
- fancifulness
- concept
- phantasy
- conceit
- conception
- whimsicality
- impetuosity
- inspiration
- mind's eye
- brainstorm