minnow
4 synonyms for minnow, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Any of several small freshwater fish, especially the common minnow found in European streams.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use minnow
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
football minnows
a shoal of minnows
Etymology
From a Late Middle English word for small fish, tracing back to Old English, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "small."
Full origin of minnow →Frequently asked questions
What does “minnow” mean?
The word “minnow” means any of several small freshwater fish, especially the common minnow found in European streams. In plain terms, a tiny freshwater fish, or figuratively, a small and unimportant competitor.
How do you pronounce “minnow”?
“Minnow” is pronounced MIH-noh (/ˈmɪnoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “minnow” in a sentence?
Here is “minnow” used in a sentence: “Children caught minnows in jars along the creek.”
What part of speech is “minnow”?
“Minnow” is a noun.
Where does the word “minnow” come from?
The word “minnow” comes from Old English. From a Late Middle English word for small fish, tracing back to Old English, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "small.".
How many meanings does “minnow” have?
“Minnow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any of several small freshwater fish, especially the common minnow found in European streams.
