2 syllables: Mag, got. Stress on Mag.
MAG-uht
/ˈmæɡət/
Maggot is pronounced MAG-uht (/ˈmæɡət/). It has two syllables (Mag-got), with the stress on "Mag". A maggot is the larval stage of a fly, typically white or cream-colored and legless, living in decaying organic matter. In broader use, 'maggot' can refer to any larval insect. The term is most commonly encountered in biology, gardening, and food-freshness contexts, and occasionally in figurative expressions.
nounA maggot is the larval stage of a fly, typically white or cream-colored and legless, living in decaying organic matter. In broader use, 'maggot' can refer to any larval insect. The term is most commonly encountered in biology, gardening, and food-freshness contexts, and occasionally in figurative expressions.
"The farmer inspected the pile of rotting fruit for maggots."
" gardeners warn that maggots can infest compost bins if kept too damp."
"She used a fine mesh to prevent maggots from contaminating the fruit at the market."
US/UK/AU IPA: /ˈmæɡət/. The first syllable carries primary stress. Start with 'mag' rhyming with 'tag' and a short 'a' as in 'cat' the first vowel. Follow with a short, unstressed 'ut' as in 'but' but reduced to a schwa sound in fluent speech: /ˈmæɡət/. Practice by isolating the two syllables, then blend smoothly. For audio reference, you can compare to standard American English pronunciations of 'mag' and 'gutted' without the final consonant release, listening to native speakers online.
Common errors include: (1) Pronouncing the second syllable with a clear 't' release as in 'mag-GET' instead of a reduced /ət/. (2) Using a long 'a' like 'mā-got' instead of the short /æ/. (3) Slurring to /ˈmæɡoʊ/ or misplacing the stress as 'magaɡet'. Correction tips: keep the first vowel short /æ/, release the second syllable quickly with a relaxed /ət/; practice with minimal pairs like /mæɡ/ vs /mæɡət/ and use a light t-to-d flap in quick speech.
US/UK/AU share /ˈmæɡət/ as the standard, with rhoticity playing a role mainly in connected speech. In US speech, the final /t/ may be unreleased or flapped in rapid speech, sounding closer to /-ɾ/. In many UK contexts, the /t/ is clearly released in careful speech; some regional accents may show less vowel clarity in the second syllable. Australian English tends to have a less pronounced final /t/; the vowel in the first syllable remains /æ/. Overall, the main variance is in the clarity of /t/ and the schwa quality of /ə/.
Two main challenges: (1) Vowel duration and quality: the /æ/ is short and crisp; learners often lengthen it or mispronounce as /eɪ/. (2) Final syllable reduction: the /ə/ in /ət/ often loses strength, making listeners forget the second syllable. The stiff tongue position for /æ/ and the quick, relaxed schwa onset require careful muscle relaxation and timing. Focus on keeping the first syllable stressed and the second syllable short and muted.
Unlike words ending in hard consonants, maggot ends with a weak /t/ and a central schwa /ə/. The challenge is balancing a crisp initial /æ/ with an understated final /ət/. You’ll want a clean but quick closing of the mouth for the /t/ without adding extra vowel length. Also, avoid voicing confusion with /æɡ/ sequences by keeping the alveolar stop unreleased in connected speech.
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The word maggot comes from Middle English magot, maggot, from Old English maȝet or maȝot, of uncertain origin. It has parallels in several Germanic languages, where early forms referred specifically to the larval stage of flies. Historically, maggot distinguished the larval form from the adult insect, with the term appearing in English texts by the 13th–14th centuries. The sense broadened in agricultural and medical contexts as people observed maggots in decaying matter and animal carcasses. Over time, maggot retained its literal biological meaning, while figurative uses emerged in literature to denote something deforming, worm-like, or repulsive. The word’s staying power reflects its stark, memorable image of a larva feeding on decomposing matter, reinforcing its role as a concrete, visual noun in both scientific writing and everyday speech.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Maggot" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Maggot" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Maggot"
-got sounds
-get sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
