shrimp

1 of 3

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 3

verb

shrimped; shrimping; shrimps

intransitive verb

: to fish for or catch shrimp

shrimpy

3 of 3

adjective

-pē 

-pi

-er/-est

1

: full of shrimp

a shrimpy bay

2

: diminutive

a shrimpy child

—Doris Peel

shrimpy rosebuds

—Harper's

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

The beavers’ work has also created a mosaic of different habitats, encouraging other animals to flock to the site, including birds, butterflies, bats and even freshwater shrimp and fish. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 18 June 2026

The new salads feature more protein choices with steak and shrimp, along with new salad toppings and dressings. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026

Order the crab cake or shrimp and grits. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026

This shrimp scampi number calls for white, but rosé as a swap would be fun. — Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 June 2026

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

Rhymes for shrimp

• blimp
• chimp
• crimp
• imp
• limp
• pimp
• skimp
• wimp

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