noun
Uncommon
shellfish
SHEHL-fihsh
Shellfish (noun) means an aquatic animal with a shell, such as a crab, mussel, or oyster, especially one eaten as food. Example: “The restaurant is known for its fresh shellfish platter.”
noun
1
An aquatic animal with a shell, such as a crab, mussel, or oyster, especially one eaten as food.
"The restaurant is known for its fresh shellfish platter."
How to use shellfish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA general food-and-fishing term covering shelled sea creatures like crab, lobster, mussels, and clams — despite the name, most aren't fish at all.
Common mistake
Shellfish aren't true fish biologically; the term is a culinary and everyday category, not a scientific one.
Common pairings
shellfish allergy
fresh shellfish
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Word forms
- Plural
- shellfishes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The restaurant is known for its fresh _____ platter.
Etymology
From Old English sċielfisċ, "shell" plus "fish."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “shellfish” mean?
The word “shellfish” means an aquatic animal with a shell, such as a crab, mussel, or oyster, especially one eaten as food. In plain terms, a general food-and-fishing term covering shelled sea creatures like crab, lobster, mussels, and clams — despite the name, most aren't fish at all.
How do you pronounce “shellfish”?
“Shellfish” is pronounced SHEHL-fihsh (/ˈʃɛl.fɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shellfish” in a sentence?
Here is “shellfish” used in a sentence: “The restaurant is known for its fresh shellfish platter.”
What part of speech is “shellfish”?
“Shellfish” is a noun.
Where does the word “shellfish” come from?
The word “shellfish” comes from Old English. From Old English sċielfisċ, "shell" plus "fish.".
Is “shellfish” a common word?
“Shellfish” is an uncommon word in modern English.
