sprat
1 synonym for sprat, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small, herring-like marine fish, especially one of the genus Sprattus, often eaten whole.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
brisling
How to use sprat
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fresh sprats
smoked sprats
tin of sprats
shoal of sprats
It is an everyday, informal word used mainly for food and fishing.
Etymology
The word descends from Middle English sprotte, which itself came from Old English sprot. It is related to German Sprotte and Dutch sprot, though its ultimate origin beyond that is not known.
Full origin of sprat →Frequently asked questions
What kind of fish is a sprat?
It is a small, herring-like marine fish, particularly one belonging to the genus Sprattus.
Are sprats and sardines the same fish?
No, they are different but similar small oily fish, and people sometimes use the names loosely for either.
How do you cook sprats?
They are commonly grilled, fried, smoked or tinned, usually eaten whole because of their small size.
