mackerel

[ mak-er-uhl, mak-ruhl ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) mack·er·el, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) mack·er·els.

1. a food fish, Scomber scombrus, of the North Atlantic, having wavy cross markings on the back.
2. Spanish mackerel.
3. any of various similar fishes, as the Atka mackerel.

mackerel

/ ˈmækrəl /

noun

1. a spiny-finned food fish, Scomber scombrus, occurring in northern coastal regions of the Atlantic and in the Mediterranean: family Scombridae. It has a deeply forked tail and a greenish-blue body marked with wavy dark bands on the back Compare Spanish mackerel
2. any of various other fishes of the family Scombridae, such as Scomber colias (Spanish mackerel) and S. japonicus (Pacific mackerel)

Word History and Origins

Origin of mackerel¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French, perhaps same word as Middle French maquerel pimp < Middle Dutch makelare broker (by metathesis), equivalent to makel ( en ) to bring together + -are -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mackerel¹

C13: from Anglo-French, from Old French maquerel, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

He was wearing a dress to get back in the rumbles with the rich mackerel-snappers who went to all-boys St. Francis Assisi.

From The Daily Beast

Kelvin remembered wrapping mackerel in them and eating them wild with seasoning.

From The Daily Beast

The "Kingfish" popularized the catch phrase "Holy Mackerel!"

From The Daily Beast

Mayo does advise that pregnant women avoid swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tile fish.

From The Daily Beast

Not far away from the sloop could be seen plainly that tiny chop-sea which is caused by the breaking of a school of mackerel.

From Project Gutenberg

The mackerel bit fiercely, sometimes at the bare hook even, like fish gone crazy.

From Project Gutenberg

There are an extensive mackerel and herring fishery, and motor engineering works.

From Project Gutenberg

Legislators will be bought like mackerel in the market, as Mr. Lawson so bluntly expresses it.

From Project Gutenberg

Or you may broil the mackerel whole, having first seasoned it as above, and wrapped it in oiled paper.

From Project Gutenberg