noun

calamari

ka-luh-MAH-ree

Calamari (noun) means squid served as food, often cut into rings and fried. Example: “We shared a plate of crispy fried calamari as a starter.”

noun

Squid served as food, often cut into rings and fried.

"We shared a plate of crispy fried calamari as a starter."

How to Use Calamari

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe culinary name for squid, especially when breaded and fried.

Common pairings

fried calamari calamari rings

Word Forms

calamaris plural, Calamaris plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “calamari” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

We shared a plate of crispy fried _____ as a starter.

Etymology

From Italian calamari, the plural of calamaro, going back to Latin calamarius (related to calamus, "reed" or "pen"), likely from the squid's ink and pen-shaped internal shell.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for calamari

bari Mari sari Kari Hari atari Inari Shari safari Bihari Hikari Yukari

See all rhymes for calamari →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “calamari” mean?

The word “calamari” means squid served as food, often cut into rings and fried. In plain terms, the culinary name for squid, especially when breaded and fried.

How do you pronounce “calamari”?

“Calamari” is pronounced ka-luh-MAH-ree (/kæləˈmɑːɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “calamari” in a sentence?

Here is “calamari” used in a sentence: “We shared a plate of crispy fried calamari as a starter.”

What part of speech is “calamari”?

“Calamari” is a noun.

Where does the word “calamari” come from?

The word “calamari” comes from Latin. From Italian calamari, the plural of calamaro, going back to Latin calamarius (related to calamus, "reed" or "pen"), likely from the squid's ink and pen-shaped internal shell.