noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

prawn

Prawn (noun) means a shrimp-like shellfish, often eaten as seafood. Example: “We ordered a plate of garlic prawns to share.”

noun

A shrimp-like shellfish, often eaten as seafood.

"We ordered a plate of garlic prawns to share."

"The prawns were grilled and served with a spicy dipping sauce."

How to use prawn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA type of edible shellfish similar to a shrimp, often larger.

UK vs US

British English generally says "prawn," while American English tends to say "shrimp" for the same or similar creature.

Common pairings

prawn cocktail grilled prawns king prawn

Word forms

prawned past tense, prawn plural, prawns plural, prawns singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We ordered a plate of garlic _____ to share.

Etymology

First recorded in the 1400s in Middle English forms like "prayne" and "prane"; its deeper origin is unclear and disputed among etymologists.

Origin: Middle English · First attested 1400

Class of 1400 prawn joined the language around 1400.

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Rhymes for prawn

pawn dawn fawn lawn drawn spawn brawn

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Frequently asked questions

What does “prawn” mean?

The word “prawn” means a shrimp-like shellfish, often eaten as seafood. In plain terms, a type of edible shellfish similar to a shrimp, often larger.

How do you pronounce “prawn”?

“Prawn” is pronounced prawn (/pɹɔn/ in IPA).

How do you use “prawn” in a sentence?

Here is “prawn” used in a sentence: “We ordered a plate of garlic prawns to share.”

What part of speech is “prawn”?

“Prawn” is a noun.

Where does the word “prawn” come from?

The word “prawn” dates back to around 1400 and comes from Middle English. First recorded in the 1400s in Middle English forms like "prayne" and "prane"; its deeper origin is unclear and disputed among etymologists.

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B2 vocabulary words