# weevil

/ˈwivəɫ/ (US) · /wˈiːvəl/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/weevil
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a small insect that looks like a beetle and has a long nose. It is famous for eating seeds and grains, which can ruin crops.

For teachers: a small beetle of the family Curculionidae, characterised by a long, curved snout. Often considered a significant agricultural pest due to its habit of boring into seeds and grains.

## Examples

- The farmer found a weevil in the wheat bin.
- A single weevil can destroy an entire seed by boring into it and laying its eggs inside the kernel.
- The introduction of the cotton weevil into the southern United States during the nineteenth century had a devastating impact on the local economy, forcing a shift toward diversified agricultural practices.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.