shoal
Shoal (noun) means a large group of fish swimming together. Example: “A shoal of mackerel scattered as the seal approached.”
How to use shoal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a big group of fish swimming together, or a shallow patch of water/sandbank.
Don't confuse with "school" (also correct for fish) or "shoal" the shallow-water sense — context usually makes it clear which is meant.
Word forms
shoaler comparative, shoaled past tense, shoaled past tense, shoals plural, shoals plural, shoals singular, shoals singular, shoalest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of mackerel scattered as the seal approached.
Etymology
From Old English sceald ("shallow"); the fish sense developed as a separate, related word for a shallow gathering of fish.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for shoal
See all rhymes for shoal →Frequently asked questions
What does “shoal” mean?
The word “shoal” means a large group of fish swimming together. In plain terms, either a big group of fish swimming together, or a shallow patch of water/sandbank.
How do you pronounce “shoal”?
“Shoal” is pronounced shohl (/ʃəʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “shoal” in a sentence?
Here is “shoal” used in a sentence: “A shoal of mackerel scattered as the seal approached.”
What is another word for “shoal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shoal” include school.
What part of speech is “shoal”?
Depending on how it is used, “shoal” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “shoal” come from?
The word “shoal” comes from Old English. From Old English sceald ("shallow"); the fish sense developed as a separate, related word for a shallow gathering of fish.
How many meanings does “shoal” have?
“Shoal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large group of fish swimming together.
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