rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysardineSmall oily fish
noun / verb

sardine

sar-DEEN/ˌsɑːrˈdiːn/

A small oily fish commonly packed in cans.

The whole sardine rests beside a tin of matching fish packed in oil.

A small whole silver-blue sardine beside an open, unmarked tin containing neatly packed sardines in oil, making both the fish and its common preserved form clear.
Etymology
sardineLatinsardine

Latin sardina already named this kind of fish. Its often-suggested connection with Sardinia is disputed, so the island is not a secure explanation of the name.

In context

BBC Earth3:00
They work together to corral the ball of fish, taking turns to grab a mouthful. Common dolphins. As the shoal gets ever smaller, each sardine scrambles desperately to hide in the middle.
Sardine Feeding Frenzy with Sharks, Penguins and More | The Hunt | BBC Earth

More examples

  • We buy sardines packed in olive oil.
  • A school of sardines swims near the surface.
  • The commuters are sardined into the crowded train.

Forms

sardine · sardines · sardined · sardining

Similar words

herring
A related fish usually larger than a canned sardine.
sprat
A small related fish sometimes sold as a sardine.