mackerel
mackerel Lexical Profile
mackerel Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A fast-swimming, pelagic marine fish of the family Scombridae, found in temperate and tropical seas globally, characterized by a torpedo-shaped body, deeply forked tail, and often iridescent blue-green back with dark, wavy stripes.
"We chartered a boat over the weekend and caught several large Atlantic mackerel off the coast."
The oily, strongly flavored flesh of this fish eaten as food, frequently prepared by smoking, grilling, or canning.
"For breakfast, she enjoyed a slice of toasted sourdough topped with smoked mackerel and a squeeze of lemon."
Word Nuance & Usage
The plural form is usually identical to the singular ('mackerel'), though 'mackerels' is occasionally used to refer to multiple distinct species.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English makerel, borrowed from Old French maquereau, whose ultimate origin is obscure but may be related to a medieval term for a broker or pimp, based on folklore about the fish's habits.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.