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Definition of atlantic mackerel
atlantic mackerel
Plural:Atlantic mackerel
atlantic mackerel Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A commercially important pelagic fish (Scomber scombrus) native to the temperate waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, characterized by a highly streamlined body, brilliant blue-green vertical stripes, and a lack of a swim bladder.
Example
"During the late summer, vast schools of Atlantic mackerel migrate closer to the New England coast to feed on rich blooms of plankton."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound descriptive name combining 'Atlantic' (from Greek 'Atlantikos', the sea of Atlas) and 'mackerel' (from Old French 'maquereau'), used to distinguish this specific North Atlantic species from others in the Scombridae family.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Atlantic mackerel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/atlantic mackerel