shoal
6 synonyms for shoal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large group of fish swimming together.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A large group of fish swimming together.
“A shoal of mackerel scattered as the seal approached.”
How to use shoal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a shoal of fish
run aground on a shoal
Etymology
From Old English sceald ("shallow"); the fish sense developed as a separate, related word for a shallow gathering of fish.
Full origin of shoal →Frequently asked questions
What does “shoal” mean?
The word “shoal” means a large group of fish swimming together. In plain terms, either a big group of fish swimming together, or a shallow patch of water/sandbank.
How do you pronounce “shoal”?
“Shoal” is pronounced shohl (/ʃəʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “shoal” in a sentence?
Here is “shoal” used in a sentence: “A shoal of mackerel scattered as the seal approached.”
What is another word for “shoal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shoal” include school.
What part of speech is “shoal”?
Depending on how it is used, “shoal” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “shoal” come from?
The word “shoal” comes from Old English. From Old English sceald ("shallow"); the fish sense developed as a separate, related word for a shallow gathering of fish.
How many meanings does “shoal” have?
“Shoal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large group of fish swimming together.
