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Minnow - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A minnow is a small freshwater fish, often used as bait. The term can also describe something or someone insignificant in comparison to others, like a small company in a large industry.

minnow

/ˈmɪnoʊ/ /ˈmɪnəʊ/

Definition:

A small freshwater fish, often used as bait or to describe something insignificant.

Synonyms:

small fry, guppy, tadpole

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

giant, whale

Common Collocations:

minnow bucket, minnow trap, minnow net

Derivatives:

minnows, minnowing

Usage Tips:

Use "minnow" literally for small fish or metaphorically for unimportant things or people.

Common Phrases:

small fry in a big pond, like a minnow in the ocean

Etymology:

From Middle English *menow*, possibly of Celtic origin meaning "small fish."

Examples:

  • 1. The children caught a minnow in the creek.
  • 2. He felt like a minnow among sharks at the conference.
  • 3. She used a minnow as bait to catch trout.
  • 4. The pond was teeming with tiny minnows near the shore.

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