noun
minnow
MIH-noh
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.”
noun
1
Any of several small freshwater fish, especially the common minnow found in European streams.
"Children caught minnows in jars along the creek."
2
A person, team, or organization of little importance or influence compared to bigger rivals.
"The tournament's minnows shocked everyone by beating the defending champions."
How to use minnow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tiny freshwater fish, or figuratively, a small and unimportant competitor.
Common pairings
football minnows
a shoal of minnows
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Word forms
- Plural
- minnows
- Third person singular
- minnows
- Past tense
- minnowed
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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."
Synonyms
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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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