noun / verb
shoal
A large group of fish swimming together.
A shoal of silver fish swims just below the surface.
Etymology
The Dutch source names a group or crowd. English specialized the grouping sense particularly to fish swimming together.
More examples
- We watch shoals of sardines from the boat.
- Small fish often shoal for protection from predators.
- The shark follows the shoal through the clear water.
Forms
shoal · shoals · shoaled · shoaling
Similar words
- school
- Usually suggests fish moving together in the same direction.