Advertisement
Advertisement
crayfish
[ krey-fish ]
noun
- any of several similar marine crustaceans, especially the spiny lobster.
crayfish
/ ˈkreɪˌfɪʃ /
noun
- any freshwater decapod crustacean of the genera Astacus and Cambarus, resembling a small lobster
- any of various similar crustaceans, esp the spiny lobster
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of crayfish1
Discover More
Compare Meanings
How does crayfish compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Discover More
Example Sentences
After being exposed to drugs in water, crayfish are more likely to be eaten by predators.
Freud’s college drawings are of the nerves in crayfish and lamprey.
In the evenings, you can camp on islands in Edenic Lake Bunyonyi, eating crayfish tails and fire-baked manioc, while crested cranes roost in the nearby trees, honking at the sunset.
In fact, there are lots of problematic invasive species that have spread through the pet trade, from predatory fish that can drag themselves between bodies of water to a crayfish that clones itself to reproduce.
Suddenly, seeing the pools and the crayfish seemed more important than chasing away spiders.
Page Six says they dined on mussel soup, crayfish and artichoke risotto at a tony Venetian restaurant.
For her inaugural menu, she planned crayfish with mayonnaise, pigeon with peas, and an apple brioche flambéed in rum.
Ferraro didn't know much about catfish, crayfish, or grapes, but she was, she said, quite familiar with blueberries.
Most folks call them crayfish, but in the bayou, they are crawfish.
He had to gather fragments of wreck and other things to aid him in his labour, and to search for crabs and crayfish for his food.
The waters of the inlet were exceedingly well stocked with fish; and here I saw large crayfish for the first time.
Fill the centre with Allemagne sauce, to which has been added some lobster and crayfish butter to make it red.
The Queen listened without interrupting, for hearing a big Crayfish talk—and talk so nicely too—was a great surprise to her.
They have also small hoop nets, in which they catch lobsters, and sea crayfish.
Advertisement
Discover More
Related Words
Discover More
More About Crayfish
What does crayfish mean?
A crayfish is a freshwater crustacean related to the lobster but smaller.
Crayfish is also used as the name of several similar saltwater crustaceans, especially the spiny lobster (also called the rock lobster).
The plural of crayfish can be crayfish or crayfishes. When used as a plural, crayfish typically refers to them collectively, while crayfishes usually refers to two or more kinds or species (but this isn’t always the case).
Crayfish aren’t fish—they’re shellfish. Other types of crustaceans include crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. There are several different species of both freshwater and saltwater crayfish. Freshwater ones are also referred to by the names crawfish, crawdad, and crawdaddy. Use of these terms varies by region.
Example: When I was a kid, we used to catch crayfish in the creek.
Where does crayfish come from?
The first records of the word crayfish come from the 1300s. It comes from an alteration of the Middle English crevice, from the Middle French crevice, from the Old High German crebiz, meaning “crab.”
Crayfish are mostly small, lobster-like creatures. They’re decapods, meaning they have 10 walking legs.
The terms crawdad and crawdaddy are Americanisms, meaning they’re primarily used in the United States. But use of the terms varies by region. Crawdad and crawdaddy are most often used in Midwestern states and along the West Coast. Crawfish is the prevalent term in much of the South, whereas crayfish is the preferred term in the Northeast.
Did you know ... ?
What are some synonyms for crayfish?
What are some words that may share a root or word element with crayfish?
What are some words that often get used in discussing crayfish?
How is crayfish used in real life?
Crayfish is the most common term for such creatures, but people in different regions like to debate whether they’re properly called crayfish, crawfish, or crawdads.
Check out the 55th issue of the Cape Chronicle e-newsletter! https://t.co/Rf6eBF91oQ
Image: Burrowing crayfish found on Hatteras Island after a recent rainstorm. pic.twitter.com/iEcj40UmDL
— Cape Hatteras National Seashore (@CapeHatterasNPS) May 27, 2020
people who refer to crayfish as crawdads show yourselves, y’all wild
— Vasely Sapunov (@vaselysapunov) April 1, 2019
CRAWDAD.
CRAYFISH.
CRAWFISH.What is a small freshwater lobster called? 🤔
— Kari Steele (@KariVanHorn) September 12, 2018
Try using crayfish!
Is crayfish used correctly in the following sentence?
I think I just saw two crayfish scurry under that rock.
Word of the Day
[pet-ri-kawr]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse