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Definition of minnow

minnow

/ˈmɪn.oʊ/
min · now
Plural:minnows
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minnow Lexical Profile

minnow Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small freshwater fish of the carp family (Cyprinidae), found predominantly in North America and Eurasia, frequently used as live bait by anglers.

Example

"The children spent the afternoon catching minnows in the shallow creek with their bare hands."

2

A minor, insignificant, or comparatively small person or organization, especially within a highly competitive field, industry, or sport.

Example

"In a league dominated by wealthy clubs, the local team is considered a minnow with little chance of winning the championship."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for minnow

• Nearby Words

minnehaha
minneola
minnie
minnow
minor
minority
minotaur

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'menow', derived from Old English 'mynwe', which is related to early Germanic root words meaning 'small'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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