mackerel

noun

mack·​er·​el ˈma-k(ə-)rəl 

plural mackerel or mackerels

1

: a scombroid fish (Scomber scombrus of the family Scombridae) of the North Atlantic that is green above with dark blue bars and silvery below and is a commercially important food fish

2

: any of various fishes (such as the wahoo and king mackerel) in the same family as the mackerel especially when distinguished from the related bonito or tuna by a comparatively smaller size

Illustration of mackerel

• mackerel 1

Examples of mackerel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Today was not: just eight small sardines and mackerel from five hours casting handlines at sea. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 June 2025

The laksa lemak—tuna and mackerel in coconut milk with mint, pineapple, rice noodles, chiles, onions and raw greens for $5.50—will linger in your memory, as will its tomato rice, cooked with lemongrass, mint, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and milk topped with cashews and raisins. —Sharon McDonnell, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2023

The panko breading adds satisfying crunch to the flaky mackerel, its mild flavor given just a bit of bite from the lemon squeeze. —Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025

Its controversial poster featured the show’s participants dining together on foods that could be considered stereotypes; Goode can be seen here, eating a mackerel, referring to a 19th-century slur for Catholics. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English makerel, from Anglo-French

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mackerel

• Atka mackerel
• holy mackerel
• horse mackerel
• jack mackerel
• king mackerel
• mackerel shark
• mackerel sky
• Spanish mackerel

Kids Definition

mackerel

noun

mack·​er·​el ˈmak-(ə-)rəl 

plural mackerel or mackerels

1

: a North Atlantic food fish that is green with blue bars above and silvery below

2

: any of various usually small or medium-sized fishes related to the mackerel