shrimp

1 of 2

noun

ˈshrimp 

 especially Southern  ˈsrimp

plural shrimp or shrimps

1

: any of numerous mostly small and marine decapod crustaceans (suborders Dendrobranchiata and Pleocyemata) having a slender elongated body, a compressed abdomen, and a long spiny rostrum and including some (especially family Penaeidae) that are commercially important as food

also : a small crustacean (such as an amphipod or a branchiopod) resembling the true shrimp

2

usually disparaging : a very small or puny person or thing

shrimplike

ˈshrimp-ˌlīk 

ˈsrimp-

adjective

shrimpy

ˈshrim-pē 

ˈsrim-

adjective

shrimp

2 of 2

verb

shrimped; shrimping; shrimps

intransitive verb

: to fish for or catch shrimp

Synonyms

Noun

• diminutive
• dwarf
• midget
• mite
• peewee
• pygmy
• pigmy
• runt
• scrub
• Tom Thumb

Examples of shrimp in a Sentence

Noun

He's a little shrimp of a boy.

the boy was just a shrimp until his teens, when he had a growth spurt

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Pour the sauce over and gently toss with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the shrimp and avocado are thoroughly coated. —Janelle Davis, CNN, 7 Feb. 2023

Brine shrimp are a critical food source for the aquaculture industry. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 21 Jan. 2023

Brine shrimp are part of the foundation of the Great Salt Lake's food web. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2022

The Mexican brunch restaurant is known for its breakfast stuffed poblano pepper, which is made with shrimp and melted cheese. —Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 28 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English shrimpe; akin to Middle Low German schrempen to contract, wrinkle, Old Norse skorpna to shrivel up

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1808, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing shrimp

• brine shrimp
• fairy shrimp
• mantis shrimp
• popcorn chicken/shrimp
• rock shrimp
• tiger shrimp

Kids Definition

shrimp

1 of 2 noun

ˈshrimp 

plural shrimps or shrimp

1

: any of numerous small mostly marine shellfish that are crustaceans related to the lobsters, that have a long slender body, an abdomen that is very thin from side to side, and long legs, and that include some important as food

2

: a very small or unimportant person or thing

shrimplike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

shrimp

2 of 2 verb

: to fish for or catch shrimps