tuna
TYOO-nuh
Tuna (noun) means a large, fast-swimming saltwater fish prized as food. Example: “They grilled fresh tuna steaks for dinner.”
noun
1
A large, fast-swimming saltwater fish prized as food.
"They grilled fresh tuna steaks for dinner."
"Canned tuna is a cheap, protein-rich pantry staple."
"A huge tuna leapt out of the water beside the fishing boat."
2
The prickly pear cactus, or its edible fruit.
"Street vendors in Mexico City sell chilled tuna slices with lime and chili."
"The farmer planted tuna along the dry hillside because it needs very little water."
"She peeled a ripe tuna and shared the sweet red fruit with us."
How to use tuna
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually the fish sold fresh, canned, or as sushi — but in Spanish-speaking regions it can also mean the prickly pear fruit.
Common pairings
a can of tuna
tuna steak
tuna salad
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Word forms
- Plural
- tunas
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They grilled fresh _____ steaks for dinner.
Etymology
Borrowed from American Spanish tuna, an alteration of Spanish atún, ultimately from Arabic at-tunn, from Latin thunnus and Greek thynnos.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tuna
See all rhymes for tuna →Frequently asked questions
What does “tuna” mean?
The word “tuna” means a large, fast-swimming saltwater fish prized as food. In plain terms, usually the fish sold fresh, canned, or as sushi — but in Spanish-speaking regions it can also mean the prickly pear fruit.
How do you pronounce “tuna”?
“Tuna” is pronounced TYOO-nuh (/ˈtjuː.nə/ in IPA).
How do you use “tuna” in a sentence?
Here is “tuna” used in a sentence: “They grilled fresh tuna steaks for dinner.”
What is another word for “tuna”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tuna” include tuna fish and tunny.
What part of speech is “tuna”?
“Tuna” is a noun.
Where does the word “tuna” come from?
The word “tuna” comes from Latin. Borrowed from American Spanish tuna, an alteration of Spanish atún, ultimately from Arabic at-tunn, from Latin thunnus and Greek thynnos.
Is “tuna” a common word?
“Tuna” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “tuna” have?
“Tuna” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, fast-swimming saltwater fish prized as food.
What is the difference between tuna and tuna fish?
Tuna and tuna fish refer to the same large, fast-swimming saltwater fish prized as food, with tuna fish being a common informal variant used especially in American English. There is no difference in meaning between the two terms.
Is tuna also a type of fruit?
Yes, tuna can also refer to the prickly pear cactus or its edible fruit, a sense distinct from the fish. This use is common in regions where the prickly pear is a familiar food source.
What is the difference between tuna and tunny?
Tuna and tunny both refer to the same large saltwater fish, with tunny being an older or more British term that has largely been replaced by tuna in everyday use. Tuna is now the standard word across most varieties of English.
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