noun
Uncommon
eel
eel
Eel (noun) means a long, snake-like fish with a smooth body and no obvious scales. Example: “The fisherman pulled up an eel tangled in his net.”
noun
1
A long, snake-like fish with a smooth body and no obvious scales.
"The fisherman pulled up an eel tangled in his net."
"Smoked eel is a traditional delicacy in parts of Europe."
2
Someone or something slippery and difficult to pin down or catch.
"The suspect was a real eel, always one step ahead of investigators."
How to use eel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long, slimy-looking fish shaped like a snake; figuratively, someone hard to catch or corner.
Common pairings
slippery as an eel
electric eel
jellied eels
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Word forms
- Plural
- eels
- Third person singular
- eels
- Past tense
- eeled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fisherman pulled up an _____ tangled in his net.
Etymology
From Old English ǣl, a very old Germanic word for the fish, related to similar words in Dutch, German, and the Scandinavian languages.
Rhymes for eel
See all rhymes for eel →Frequently asked questions
What does “eel” mean?
The word “eel” means a long, snake-like fish with a smooth body and no obvious scales. In plain terms, a long, slimy-looking fish shaped like a snake; figuratively, someone hard to catch or corner.
How do you pronounce “eel”?
“Eel” is pronounced eel (/iːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “eel” in a sentence?
Here is “eel” used in a sentence: “The fisherman pulled up an eel tangled in his net.”
What part of speech is “eel”?
“Eel” is a noun.
Where does the word “eel” come from?
The word “eel” comes from Old English. From Old English ǣl, a very old Germanic word for the fish, related to similar words in Dutch, German, and the Scandinavian languages.
Is “eel” a common word?
“Eel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “eel” have?
“Eel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, snake-like fish with a smooth body and no obvious scales.
