skipjack

[ skip-jak ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) skip·jack, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) skip·jacks skip·jacks

1. any of various fishes that leap above the surface of the water, as a tuna, Euthynnus pelamis, or the bonito.
2. Entomology. click beetle.
3. Nautical. an American one-masted sailing vessel.

skipjack

/ ˈskɪpˌdʒæk /

noun

1. Also calledskipjack tuna an important food fish, Katsuwonus pelamis, that has a striped abdomen and occurs in all tropical seas: family Scombridae (mackerels and tunas)
2. black skipjack
   a small spotted tuna, Euthynnus yaito, of Indo-Pacific seas
3. any of several other unrelated fishes, such as the alewife and bonito
4. nautical an American sloop used for oystering and as a yacht
5. another name for a click beetle

Word History and Origins

Origin of skipjack¹

First recorded in 1545–55; skip ¹ + jack ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of skipjack¹

C18: from skip ¹+ jack ¹

Example Sentences

They specifically looked at tropical tuna -- skipjack, bigeye and yellowfin.

From Science Daily

It has contracted directly with Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, to supply canned skipjack tuna for its Great Value brand.

From Scientific American

Standing at the shores of the little bay, Roy pointed out the skipjacks, still flipping.

From New York Times

My mother recalled how Tomoyo would go to the fish market, look at all the fish and then buy the big tuna — or aku, as skipjack tuna is commonly known in Hawaii.

From Seattle Times

“Some brands specialize in different parts of the tuna, such as the neck and bellies, or ventresca; others focus on canning a variety of species, from skipjack and bluefin to albacore or yellowfin,” he says.

From Washington Post