Search Dictionary
Definition of common carp
common carp
Plural:common carp
common carp Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large, hardy freshwater fish native to lakes and rivers in Europe and Asia, extensively farmed globally for food but often considered highly disruptive as an invasive species in non-native aquatic environments.
Example
"The lake's native ecosystem was severely impacted after the introduction of the common carp, which continually uprooted submerged aquatic plants while foraging."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for common carp• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The word 'carp' derives from the Late Latin 'carpa', likely borrowed from a Germanic or Celtic source. The modifier 'common' distinguishes this globally widespread species (Cyprinus carpio) from other members of the Cyprinidae family.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Common carp. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/common carp