Calamari - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Calamari is a culinary term for squid, often prepared by frying or grilling. It is commonly served as an appetizer, featuring tender rings or tentacles with a mild seafood flavor.
Definition:
Squid prepared as food, often fried or grilled.
Synonyms:
squid, seafood, mollusk, octopus
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
(No direct antonyms; contextually) vegetables, land animals
Common Collocations:
fried calamari, calamari rings, grilled calamari, calamari salad
Derivatives:
calamaries (rare plural), calamarian (rare adjective)
Usage Tips:
Use 'calamari' when referring to cooked squid dishes, not live squid.
Common Phrases:
crispy calamari, calamari appetizer, lemon-drizzled calamari
Etymology:
From Italian 'calamaro,' from Latin 'calamarium,' meaning 'pen case' (due to squid's shape).
Examples:
- 1. We ordered fried calamari as an appetizer.
- 2. The restaurant serves the best grilled calamari in town.
- 3. She prefers calamari over other seafood options.
- 4. Calamari rings are often served with marinara sauce.