How to pronounce larva
Say it like LAR-vuh. Larva has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce larva. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LAR
- vuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Larva pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of larva
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: LAH-vuh.
What does larva mean?
- An early stage of growth for insects and some amphibians, in which after hatching from their egg, insects are wingless and resemble a caterpillar or grub, and amphibians lack limbs and resemble fish.
- An animal in the aforementioned stage.
- A form of a recently born or hatched animal that is quite different from its adult stage.
Where does larva come from?
From Latin larva (“disembodied spirit, ghost, goblin”).
Questions about saying larva
How do you pronounce larva?
Say LAR-vuh. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɑrvə/. In British English it is /ˈlɑːvə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in larva?
Larva has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAR). Broken into parts: LAR · vuh.
Is larva pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈlɑːvə/ (LAH-vuh).