Prawn: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in British English to refer to larger shrimp-like seafood, often in culinary contexts.

• I'll order the prawn cocktail
• The prawn curry is delicious here

Commonly used in American English and generally refers to smaller-sized individuals of this seafood category. Often used in culinary contexts.

• We're grilling some shrimp for dinner
• The shrimp tacos are a big hit at this restaurant

Used in scientific and academic contexts to refer to a broad category of shellfish, including shrimp, crabs, and lobsters.

• Crustaceans include crabs, lobsters, and shrimp
• He is studying the life cycle of various crustaceans

Used primarily in British English and other Commonwealth countries. Prawns are typically larger and can be found in both freshwater and saltwater. This term is often used in culinary contexts, especially in restaurants and seafood dishes.

• We ordered garlic prawns as a starter.
• Prawn cocktail is a classic dish for dinner parties.

Common in American English. Shrimp are usually smaller and are found mostly in saltwater. The term is widely used in casual and everyday conversation when referring to seafood. It can be used both in culinary contexts and within general discussions about marine life.

• I made shrimp scampi for dinner last night.
• There are many kinds of shrimp in the ocean.