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Definition of anchovy

anchovy

/ˈæn.tʃoʊ.vi/
an · cho · vy
Plural:anchovies
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anchovy Lexical Profile

anchovy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The cured and salted fillet of the anchovy fish, typically packed in oil and used to impart a pungent, umami flavor to dishes such as pizzas, salads, and sauces.

Example

"The chef mashed an anchovy into the Caesar dressing to give it an authentic and savory depth."

2

A small, slender, schooling forage fish of the family Engraulidae, primarily found in marine waters.

Example

"The marine biologist studied how the massive schools of anchovy serve as a crucial food source for larger predators in the Pacific."

• Nearby Words

anchorman
anchorperson
anchorwoman
anchovy
ancient
anciently
ancillary

Word Origin & Etymology

Late 16th century: from Spanish 'anchova' or Portuguese 'anchova', possibly originating from Genoese 'anciua' or Basque 'antzu' meaning 'dry'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Anchovy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/anchovy
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