Crawfish: meaning, definitions and examples

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crawfish

 

[ หˆkrษ”หfษชสƒ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

seafood dish

Crawfish is a freshwater crustacean resembling a small lobster, typically found in the southern United States. It is often boiled and seasoned with spices, making it a popular seafood dish in Cajun and Creole cuisine.

Synonyms

crawdad, crayfish, mudbug.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
crawfish

Typically used in the United States, particularly in Louisiana, where crawfish is a popular ingredient in Southern cuisine.

  • We're having a crawfish boil this weekend.
  • I caught some crawfish in the creek yesterday.
crayfish

More often used in scientific contexts or in British English to refer to the same freshwater crustaceans.

  • The crayfish are an invasive species in this lake.
  • Crayfish populations have been declining in recent years.
crawdad

Commonly used in the Western and Midwestern United States, especially in rural areas.

  • The kids went down to the river to catch crawdads.
  • My dad makes the best crawdad stew.
mudbug

Slang term primarily used in the Southern United States, notably in Louisiana. It often carries a more casual and informal tone.

  • Mudbugs are in season right now.
  • I love eating mudbugs at the local festival.

Examples of usage

  • Crawfish boils are a popular social event in Louisiana.
  • I ordered a plate of spicy crawfish at the restaurant.
Context #2 | Noun

invertebrate zoology

Crawfish is a common name for various freshwater crustaceans of the families Cambaridae and Astacidae, with a segmented body, a hard shell, and five pairs of legs. They are omnivorous and play an important role in freshwater ecosystems.

Synonyms

crawdad, crayfish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
crawfish

Commonly used in the Southern United States, especially in Louisiana. Often associated with Cajun and Creole cuisine.

  • We're having a crawfish boil this weekend.
  • Crawfish รฉtouffรฉe is a popular dish in Louisiana.
crayfish

Mostly used in the United Kingdom and in biological contexts. Considered the more scientific or formal term.

  • There is a large population of crayfish in that river.
  • The biologist studied the crayfish's habitat.
crawdad

Mostly used in regions of the Midwestern and Western United States. It is a more casual term.

  • We caught some crawdads down by the creek.
  • Do you want to go crawdad fishing later?

Examples of usage

  • The biologist studied the behavior of crawfish in the river.
  • Crawfish are known for their ability to burrow into the mud.

Translations

Translations of the word "crawfish" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lagostim

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅเคฐเฅ‰เคซเคฟเคถ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Flusskrebs

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ lobster

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั€ะฐะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ rak

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ถใƒชใ‚ฌใƒ‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท รฉcrevisse

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cangrejo de rรญo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kerevit

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐ€์žฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฌุฑุงุฏ ุงู„ุจุญุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ rak

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ rak

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฐ้พ™่™พ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ rak

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ ferskvatnsrรฆkja

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัˆะฐัะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒ˜แƒ‘แƒแƒ แƒฉแƒฎแƒแƒšแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ xษ™rรงษ™ng

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cangrejo de rรญo

Etymology

The word 'crawfish' originated from the Middle English 'crevis,' which came from Old French 'crevice,' meaning a crab or lobster. The term 'crawfish' is commonly used in the southern United States, particularly in Louisiana, where it is a staple of Cajun and Creole cuisine.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,599, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.