noun
tench
TENCH
Tench (noun) means a species of freshwater fish, Tinca tinca, often caught by anglers in still or slow-moving water. Example: “He landed a heavy tench from the canal near the old mill.”
noun
1
A species of freshwater fish, Tinca tinca, often caught by anglers in still or slow-moving water.
"He landed a heavy tench from the canal near the old mill."
"Tench are prized by anglers for how hard they fight on the line."
"The lake was stocked with tench alongside carp and bream."
How to use tench
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tench is a freshwater fish anglers often catch in still or slow-moving water.
When to use it
This is a plain, everyday word used mainly by anglers and naturalists.
Memory tip
The plural is the same as the singular, so it is one tench and several tench.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
catch a tench
tench fishing
a stocked tench
a shoal of tench
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like tench.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He landed a heavy _____ from the canal near the old mill.
Etymology
Tench developed from Middle English tenche, which was taken from Old French tenche. That word in turn goes back to Late Latin tinca.
Rhymes for tench
See all rhymes for tench →Frequently asked questions
What kind of fish is a tench?
It is a freshwater fish, Tinca tinca, popular with anglers who fish still or slow-moving waters such as canals, ponds and lakes.
Where does the word tench come from?
It developed from Middle English tenche, which came from Old French tenche and ultimately from Late Latin tinca.
What is the scientific name for tench?
Its scientific name is Tinca tinca.
What is the meaning of tench?
"tench" (noun) means a species of freshwater fish, Tinca tinca, often caught by anglers in still or slow-moving water.
