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Definition of sandeel

sandeel

/ˈsæn.diːl/
sand · eel
Plural:sandeels
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sandeel Lexical Profile

sandeel Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, slender, silvery marine fish of the family Ammodytidae, found mainly in the North Atlantic, known for burrowing into sandy sea bottoms and serving as a crucial food source for seabirds and larger marine predators.

Example

"The puffin returned to its rocky burrow with a beak completely full of sandeels to feed its waiting chick."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sandeel

Word Nuance & Usage

Although named for its elongated appearance, the sandeel is not a true eel (order Anguilliformes); additionally, it is more commonly referred to as a 'sand lance' in North America.

• Nearby Words

sandbag
sandbar shark
sanddab
sandeel
sandersonia
sandfish
sandgrouse

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'sand' and 'eel', reflecting the fish's long, slender shape and its habit of burrowing headfirst into sandy seabeds to escape predators.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sandeel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sandeel
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