shellfish

[ shel-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) shell·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) shell·fish·es.

1. an aquatic animal having a shell, as the oyster and other mollusks and the lobster and other crustaceans.

shellfish

/ ˈʃɛlˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any aquatic invertebrate having a shell or shell-like carapace, esp such an animal used as human food. Examples are crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters and molluscs such as oysters

Word History and Origins

Origin of shellfish¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English scilfisc. See shell, fish

Example Sentences

The result: one in five finfish, and one in five shellfish, were not as advertised.

From Salon

University students sampled 347 finfish product and 109 shellfish — including shrimp, octopus and oysters — from Calgary restaurants and grocery stores.

From Salon

This was the first study of its kind in Canada to compare shellfish to finfish.

From Salon

I really enjoy shellfish, especially scallops, lobster and langoustine.

From Salon

The shellfish from the UK is stunning.

From Salon

Related Words

• clam
• conch
• crawfish
• crustacean
• lobster
• mollusk
• mussel
• oyster
• prawn
• scallop
• shrimp
• snail