minnow
Minnow (noun) means any of several small freshwater fish, especially the common minnow found in European streams. Example: “Children caught minnows in jars along the creek.”
How to use minnow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tiny freshwater fish, or figuratively, a small and unimportant competitor.
Word forms
minnowed past tense, minnows plural, minnows singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Children caught _____ in jars along the creek.
Etymology
From a Late Middle English word for small fish, tracing back to Old English, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "small."
Frequently asked questions
What does “minnow” mean?
The word “minnow” means any of several small freshwater fish, especially the common minnow found in European streams. In plain terms, a tiny freshwater fish, or figuratively, a small and unimportant competitor.
How do you pronounce “minnow”?
“Minnow” is pronounced MIH-noh (/ˈmɪnoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “minnow” in a sentence?
Here is “minnow” used in a sentence: “Children caught minnows in jars along the creek.”
What part of speech is “minnow”?
“Minnow” is a noun.
Where does the word “minnow” come from?
The word “minnow” comes from Old English. From a Late Middle English word for small fish, tracing back to Old English, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "small.".
How many meanings does “minnow” have?
“Minnow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any of several small freshwater fish, especially the common minnow found in European streams.
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