yellowtail

[ yel-oh-teyl ]

noun

, plural yel·low·tails, (especially collectively) yel·low·tail.

1. a game fish, Seriola lalandei, of California.
2. Also called yellowtail snapper. a small West Indian snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus.
3. yellowtail flounder.
4. any of several other fishes with a yellow caudal fin.

yellowtail

/ ˈjɛləʊˌteɪl /

noun

1. a carangid game fish, Seriola dorsalis, of coastal waters of S California and Mexico, having a yellow tail fin
2. any of various similar fishes
3. Also calledyellowtail moth any of various similar fishes Another name for goldtail moth
4. another word for yellowtail kingfish

Word History and Origins

Origin of yellowtail¹

First recorded in 1600–10; yellow + tail ¹

Example Sentences

I’m partial to the individual cold-smoked bites of yellowtail and salmon.

From Salon

A type of yellowtail, I watched the fish flash streaks of silver when the sun hit just right below the water’s surface.

From National Geographic

Workers will come in at 4 a.m. to grab items like yellowtail from the freezer.

From Seattle Times

Others traditionally caught off Japan’s southern shores, like yellowtail or Spanish mackerel, are reappearing in northern waters, according to industry groups.

From Los Angeles Times

We found a market in a Cuban neighborhood in Miami, but my pathetic Spanishlessness wasn’t a problem; I just pointed to one of the shiny, clear-eyed yellowtail snappers nestled in ice.

From Washington Post