minnow

[ min-oh ]

noun

, plural (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) min·nows, (especially collectively, Rare) min·now

1. a small, European cyprinoid fish, Phoxinus phoxinus.
2. any other fish of the family Cyprinidae, including the carps, goldfishes, and daces.
3. any of various unrelated, small fishes.
4. a person or thing that is comparatively small or insignificant:

   With just six electoral votes up for grabs, the Midwestern swing state of Iowa is a mere minnow compared to giants like Florida and Ohio.

5. Also called cryp·to min·now [krip, -toh min-oh]. an investor who holds a small amount of cryptocurrency and is therefore unlikely to make transactions that have a significant effect on prices: Compare whale ¹( def ).

   In the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, minnows still play a crucial role in decentralizing ownership and participation in the industry.

minnow

/ ˈmɪnəʊ /

noun

1. a small slender European freshwater cyprinid fish, Phoxinus phoxinus
2. any other small cyprinid
3. angling a spinning lure imitating a minnow
4. a small or insignificant person

Word History and Origins

Origin of minnow¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English minwe, Old English mynwe (unrecorded), feminine of myne; cognate with Old High German munewa, a kind of fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of minnow¹

C15: related to Old English myne minnow; compare Old High German muniwa fish

Example Sentences

The water splashes as they zip through the murky waters after Minnow Junior.

From Literature

He probably smells like a giant minnow to them, and they wanna feast.

From Literature

I dig through the silk shirt and pants and find a tiny minnow thrashing around on the hardwood floor.

From Literature

The minnow version of Junior jumps around in my cupped hands, and I keep ahold of him until we’re in the boat with Walter.

From Literature

He felt a minnow brush his leg and he exulted to be doing so well in the minnow’s own medium.

From Literature