bonito

[ buh-nee-toh ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) bo·ni·to, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) bo·ni·tos.

1. any mackerel-like fish of the genus Sarda, as S. sarda, of the Atlantic Ocean.
2. any of several related species, as the skipjack, Euthynnus pelamis.

bonito

/ bəˈniːtəʊ /

noun

1. any of various small tunny-like marine food fishes of the genus Sarda , of warm Atlantic and Pacific waters: family Scombridae (tunnies and mackerels)
2. any of various similar or related fishes, such as Katsuwonus pelamis ( oceanic bonito ), the flesh of which is dried and flaked and used in Japanese cookery

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonito¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Spanish: literally, “pretty,” equivalent to bueno “good” + -ito diminutive suffix, or from Arabic bainīth

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonito¹

C16: from Spanish bonito , from Latin bonus good

Example Sentences

Yes, yes, we all know that they call it the jogo bonito in Brazil, the beautiful game.

From The Daily Beast

Pele, by the way, is often given credit for coining the phrase O Jogo Bonito—the Beautiful Game.

From The Daily Beast

What is that white lady doing with that handful of ginseng roots and bonito flakes?

From The Daily Beast

The bonito and albicore chase it day and night; but the dolphin is its worst and swiftest foe.

From Project Gutenberg

This fish is called bonito by many of the Catalina anglers, which is a misnomer, as it is a much slimmer fish than the bonito.

From Project Gutenberg

On the northern cape of the Gate, Point Bonito, are three 16-inch rifles mounted in a similar way.

From Project Gutenberg

Was it true that a new schoolhouse was going to be built on Bonito?

From Project Gutenberg

They applaud with cries of “bonito”; they ask questions, and the house is never still for a single instant.

From Project Gutenberg