calamari

American  

[kal-uh-mahr-ee, kah-luh-, kah-lah-mah-ree] / ˌkæl əˈmɑr i, ˌkɑ lə-, ˌkɑ lɑˈmɑ ri /

noun

Cooking.

1. squid.

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calamari British  

/ ˌkæləˈmɑːrɪ /

noun

1. squid cooked for eating, esp cut into rings and fried in batter

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Etymology

Origin of calamari

First recorded in 1820–30; from Italian, plural of calamaro, calamaio (short for pesce calamaio ), from Late Latin calamārium “inkhorn, pen case” (referring to the ink ejected by the squid), Latin calamārius “pertaining to a pen”; see calamus, -ary

Example Sentences

He recalls those early years eating calamari straight from the fryer and begrudgingly embracing room-temperature plates.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

Chef and owner Elmer Komagata will add a street food menu at the new location, including gyoza dumplings, fried calamari and takoyaki.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 6, 2024

Wild shipworms are eaten in the Philippines -- either raw, or battered and fried like calamari.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2023

Given these conditions, China has struggled in recent years with strikes, mutinies and violence on its squid ships, which feed the world’s growing demand for calamari.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2023

The boys began listing off every item on the menu, including the calamari, until Toby told them it was squid.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss