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crayfish
[ krey-fish ]
noun
- any of several similar marine crustaceans, especially the spiny lobster.
crayfish
/ ˈkreɪˌfɪʃ /
noun
- any freshwater decapod crustacean of the genera Astacus and Cambarus, resembling a small lobster
- any of various similar crustaceans, esp the spiny lobster
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of crayfish1
Compare Meanings
How does crayfish compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
As with humans, crayfish and capybaras, if you look you’ll find the biochemical markers of the poor bees’ cognitive change.
On another, the dollop of Ghanaian shito served with the jollof and short rib was nearly searing, with an admirable salty depth from dried crayfish, shrimp and fish.
Nail birds on the wing and anything in the water, from fish to snails to crayfish and frogs.
As I watched, he photographed a striated darter that didn't yet have a name, a Yellow Bass, an Orangefin Shiner and a giant crayfish discovered in 2011 in the very creek we were at.
"Ten metres along, another crayfish, and for about a mile there were just crayfish all along the way, really angry, some with their claws in the air giving it some."
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More About Crayfish
What does crayfish mean?
A crayfish is a freshwater crustacean related to the lobster but smaller.
Crayfish is also used as the name of several similar saltwater crustaceans, especially the spiny lobster (also called the rock lobster).
The plural of crayfish can be crayfish or crayfishes. When used as a plural, crayfish typically refers to them collectively, while crayfishes usually refers to two or more kinds or species (but this isn’t always the case).
Crayfish aren’t fish—they’re shellfish. Other types of crustaceans include crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. There are several different species of both freshwater and saltwater crayfish. Freshwater ones are also referred to by the names crawfish, crawdad, and crawdaddy. Use of these terms varies by region.
Example: When I was a kid, we used to catch crayfish in the creek.
Where does crayfish come from?
The first records of the word crayfish come from the 1300s. It comes from an alteration of the Middle English crevice, from the Middle French crevice, from the Old High German crebiz, meaning “crab.”
Crayfish are mostly small, lobster-like creatures. They’re decapods, meaning they have 10 walking legs.
The terms crawdad and crawdaddy are Americanisms, meaning they’re primarily used in the United States. But use of the terms varies by region. Crawdad and crawdaddy are most often used in Midwestern states and along the West Coast. Crawfish is the prevalent term in much of the South, whereas crayfish is the preferred term in the Northeast.
Did you know ... ?
What are some synonyms for crayfish?
What are some words that may share a root or word element with crayfish?
What are some words that often get used in discussing crayfish?
How is crayfish used in real life?
Crayfish is the most common term for such creatures, but people in different regions like to debate whether they’re properly called crayfish, crawfish, or crawdads.
Check out the 55th issue of the Cape Chronicle e-newsletter! https://t.co/Rf6eBF91oQ
Image: Burrowing crayfish found on Hatteras Island after a recent rainstorm. pic.twitter.com/iEcj40UmDL
— Cape Hatteras National Seashore (@CapeHatterasNPS) May 27, 2020
people who refer to crayfish as crawdads show yourselves, y’all wild
— Vasely Sapunov (@vaselysapunov) April 1, 2019
CRAWDAD.
CRAYFISH.
CRAWFISH.What is a small freshwater lobster called? 🤔
— Kari Steele (@KariVanHorn) September 12, 2018
Try using crayfish!
Is crayfish used correctly in the following sentence?
I think I just saw two crayfish scurry under that rock.
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