Shrimp

/ʃrɪmp/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A small marine creature with a slender body, long legs, and a shell, often used as food.

We ordered grilled shrimp for dinner at the seaside restaurant.

Any of various small crustaceans, including both marine and freshwater species.

The aquarium has a tank filled with colorful shrimp that filter feed on algae.

A term often used informally to refer to a person or thing of small size.

Despite being a shrimp compared to the other players, he excelled in agility.

verb

To catch or harvest shrimp.

The fishermen shrimps in the local bay every summer.

Middle English *shrimpe*, perhaps from Old Norse *smjúka* meaning 'to creep'.

shrimp on the barbie

A phrase popularized by Australian culture referring to grilling shrimp.

like a shrimp in a tsunami

Feeling small or insignificant in a much larger context.

prawn

A similar type of crustacean, typically larger than shrimp.

lobster

A large marine crustacean with long antennae and a pair of large claws.

To be small or insignificant.

Stop acting like a shrimp; you can handle this task.

To cheat or scam someone.

He was shrimping the gambler out of his money.