cod
kod
Cod (noun) means a large sea fish, especially Atlantic cod, widely eaten and central to many fisheries. Example: “The fishing boat returned to harbour with a full catch of cod.”
noun
1
A large sea fish, especially Atlantic cod, widely eaten and central to many fisheries.
"The fishing boat returned to harbour with a full catch of cod."
"I baked a fillet of cod with lemon and herbs for dinner."
"They ordered fish and chips made with fresh cod."
2
British informal: a joke, a spoof, or an act of gentle mockery.
"The whole thing was a cod, and nobody was actually fooled for long."
"He wrote a cod newsreport for the school magazine, just to make everyone laugh."
"It was all just a bit of a cod, nothing serious."
How to use cod
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMainly the common food fish; informally in British English, a joke or mock-up.
Common pairings
cod and chips
a cod fillet
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Word forms
- Plural
- cods
- Third person singular
- cods
- Past tense
- codded
- Comparative
- more cod
- Superlative
- most cod
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fishing boat returned to harbour with a full catch of _____.
Etymology
From Middle English cod/codde, of murky origin — the fish sense may trace back to Greek gados via Latin, though the word has also historically meant a pouch or bag, unrelated senses that got tangled together over time.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cod” mean?
The word “cod” means a large sea fish, especially Atlantic cod, widely eaten and central to many fisheries. In plain terms, mainly the common food fish; informally in British English, a joke or mock-up.
How do you pronounce “cod”?
“Cod” is pronounced kod (/kɑd/ in IPA).
How do you use “cod” in a sentence?
Here is “cod” used in a sentence: “They ordered fish and chips made with fresh cod.”
What part of speech is “cod”?
“Cod” is a noun.
Where does the word “cod” come from?
The word “cod” comes from Latin. From Middle English cod/codde, of murky origin — the fish sense may trace back to Greek gados via Latin, though the word has also historically meant a pouch or bag, unrelated senses that got tangled together over time.
Is “cod” a common word?
“Cod” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cod” have?
“Cod” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large sea fish, especially Atlantic cod, widely eaten and central to many fisheries.
What is the difference between cod and haddock?
Cod and haddock are both white, flaky sea fish common in fish and chips, but cod has a milder, slightly sweeter flavor with larger flakes, while haddock tastes stronger and has a finer texture. Haddock also usually has darker skin with a black lateral line and a dark thumbprint mark, unlike the paler cod.
Is the plural of cod 'cod' or 'cods'?
The usual plural of the fish is cod, as in they caught several cod, like many fish names. The form cods is rare and mainly appears when referring to different species or types of cod.
What is salt cod?
Salt cod is cod preserved by salting and drying, a traditional method that lets the fish keep for long periods. It must be soaked before cooking to draw out excess salt and rehydrate the flesh.
