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Definition of calamari

calamari

/ˌkæləˈmɑːri/
cal · a · ma · ri
Plural:calamari
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calamari Lexical Profile

calamari Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Squid prepared and served as food, most commonly sliced into rings, battered, and deep-fried.

Example

"We ordered a plate of crispy fried calamari served with a side of marinara sauce for our appetizer."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for calamari

Word Nuance & Usage

In English, 'calamari' strictly refers to the culinary dish, whereas 'squid' can refer to either the living marine animal or the food.

• Rhymes for calamari

• Nearby Words

caladium
calafate
calamansi
calamari
calamine
calamitous
calamitously

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Italian 'calamari', the plural of 'calamaro' (squid). This derives from the Latin 'calamarius' (pertaining to a pen), from 'calamus' (reed pen), referencing the squid's pen-like internal shell and ink.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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