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Minnow Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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minnow

[ˈmɪnəʊ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

small fish

A minnow is a small freshwater fish that is often used as bait for fishing. Minnows are typically less than three inches long and can be found in lakes, rivers, and streams.

Synonyms

bait fish, small fish, tiny fish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
minnow

See above - 'minnow' can also be used colloquially in some regions to describe any small fish in general.

  • Kids were catching minnows in jars by the edge of the lake.
  • There are plenty of minnows in this shallow pond.
small fish

Used to generally describe fish of small size. Appropriate in everyday conversation or contexts where the specific type of fish is not critical.

  • The aquarium has a variety of small fish.
  • Small fish darted around the coral.
bait fish

Best used when describing small fish that are specifically intended to be used as bait for fishing. This term is common among anglers.

  • The fisherman used bait fish to catch larger predators.
  • He went to the store to buy some bait fish for his fishing trip.
tiny fish

Emphasizes the very small size of the fish. Suitable in casual speech or descriptive writing where size is the focus.

  • Tiny fish swam near the shore, almost invisible against the sand.
  • In the shallow waters, we saw clusters of tiny fish.

Examples of usage

  • The children caught minnows in the creek to use as bait for fishing.
  • We saw a school of minnows swimming near the shore of the lake.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'minnow'

The word 'minnow' originated from Middle English 'menow', which is believed to be derived from Old English 'mene', meaning a small fish. The term has been used to refer to small fish since the 14th century.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,672, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.