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Definition of inanga

inanga

/ɪˈnɑːŋɡə/
i · nan · ga

Plural:inanga
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inanga Lexical Profile

inanga Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

New Zealand A small, slender freshwater fish (Galaxias maculatus) native to New Zealand, Australia, and parts of South America, the juveniles of which form the majority of the traditional whitebait catch.

Example

"During the spring migration, fishers line the riverbanks with nets to catch the juvenile inanga as they swim upstream from the sea."

Word Nuance & Usage

In New Zealand English, Māori loanwords like 'inanga' generally do not take an 's' in their plural form. While the adult fish is called inanga, its juvenile stage is the primary species colloquially known and consumed as 'whitebait'.

• Rhymes for inanga

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed directly into New Zealand English from the Māori word 'īnanga'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Inanga. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/inanga
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