anchovy

noun

an·​cho·​vy ˈan-ˌchō-vē 

an-ˈchō-vē

plural anchovies or anchovy

: any of a family (Engraulidae) of small fishes resembling herrings that includes several (such as Engraulis encrasicolus) that are important food fishes used especially in appetizers, as a garnish, and for making sauces and relishes

Examples of anchovy in a Sentence

a salad topped with garlic and anchovies

Recent Examples on the Web

Some 134,000 tons of frozen pelagic fish — such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel, sprats and herring — are thawed and tossed into European tuna cages every year. —Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025

Get the white anchovies with pesto, the local garlic shrimp and any (all) of the housemade pastas. —Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025

Patagonia sources from across the map, including anchovies from Spain and sockeye salmon from Alaska. —Mackenzie Chung Fegan, Bon Appétit, 11 Mar. 2025

Filter-feeding fish, including anchovies and sardines, ingest the algae, retain its toxic byproduct and are then eaten by sea lions, seals and dolphins. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish anchova

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anchovy

• novae
• supernovae

Kids Definition

anchovy

noun

an·​cho·​vy ˈan-ˌchō-vē 

an-ˈchō-vē

plural anchovies or anchovy

: any of numerous small fishes resembling herrings that include several that are important food fishes used especially for sauces and relishes