grouper

¹ American  

[groo-per] / ˈgru pər /

noun

plural

grouperer,

plural

groupers

1. any of various sea basses of the family Serranidae, especially of the genera Epinephelus and Mycteroperca, of tropical and subtropical seas.

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grouper ² American  

[groo-per] / ˈgru pər /

noun

1. a member of a group, as of tourists.

2. Slang. a member of a group of usually young and single persons who rent and share a house or apartment, as at a summer resort.

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grouper British  

/ ˈɡruːpə /

noun

1. a variant of groper

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Etymology

Origin of grouper¹

First recorded in 1680–90, grouper is from the Portuguese word garupa, of uncertain origin

Origin of grouper²

First recorded in 1930–35; group + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Pina said the expedition's scientists were also disappointed to find few larger specimens of fish like grouper, snapper and sharks even on Cuban reefs that appeared otherwise healthy.

From Reuters • Sep. 1, 2023

Shark had been cut into small chunks on a nearby countertop—mako, she said—but the order she’s preparing calls for grouper and shrimp, so she adds those instead.

From National Geographic • Jul. 17, 2023

The collapse of white grouper has attracted the attention of international organizations, which have sought to use improved data collection to help bring back the fish.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2023

Alaskan crab is famously in a catch share, along with red snapper and grouper in the Gulf of Mexico.

From Salon • Jan. 1, 2023

Next thing you know, some nosy neighbor calls the grouper troopers and then, Houston, we’ve got a problem.”

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen