noun
scallop
SKO-luhp
Scallop (noun) means an edible marine shellfish with a distinctive fan-shaped, ridged shell. Example: “They ordered pan-seared scallops as a starter.”
noun
1
An edible marine shellfish with a distinctive fan-shaped, ridged shell.
"They ordered pan-seared scallops as a starter."
2
A curved, wavy edge shaped like the rim of a scallop shell, used in sewing or decoration.
"The blanket had a pretty scalloped edge."
verb
1
To shape the edge of something into a series of curves.
"She scalloped the edges of the pie crust before baking."
How to use scallop
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMainly the shellfish, but also the wavy, curved-edge decorative pattern named after its shell.
Common pairings
seared scallops
scalloped edge
scallop shell
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Word forms
- Plural
- scallops
- Third person singular
- scallops
- Past tense
- scalloped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They ordered pan-seared _____ as a starter.
Etymology
From Old French escalope, "shell," a doublet of "escalope" and related to "scale" and "shell."
Related words
Rhymes for scallop
See all rhymes for scallop →Frequently asked questions
What does “scallop” mean?
The word “scallop” means an edible marine shellfish with a distinctive fan-shaped, ridged shell. In plain terms, mainly the shellfish, but also the wavy, curved-edge decorative pattern named after its shell.
How do you pronounce “scallop”?
“Scallop” is pronounced SKO-luhp (/ˈskɑləp/ in IPA).
How do you use “scallop” in a sentence?
Here is “scallop” used in a sentence: “They ordered pan-seared scallops as a starter.”
What part of speech is “scallop”?
Depending on how it is used, “scallop” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “scallop” come from?
The word “scallop” comes from Old French. From Old French escalope, "shell," a doublet of "escalope" and related to "scale" and "shell.".
How many meanings does “scallop” have?
“Scallop” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an edible marine shellfish with a distinctive fan-shaped, ridged shell.
