sprat

sprat

noun \ˈsprat\

Definition of SPRAT

1

a : a small European marine fish (Sprattus sprattus) of the herring family —called also brisling

b : any of various small or young fish (as an anchovy) related to or resembling the herrings

2

: a young, small, or insignificant person

Examples of SPRAT

1. <planning to spend their vacation at a couples-only resort where they would not be bothered by snotty-nosed sprats>

Origin of SPRAT

alteration of Middle English sprot, from Old English sprott

First Known Use: 1537

Related to SPRAT

Synonyms

bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, bud, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, child, sprout, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms

adult, grown-up

Related Words

adolescent, minor; kindergartner (also kindergartener), preschooler, rug rat [slang], schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolkid; babe, baby, bantling, infant, neonate, nestling, newborn, toddler, tot, tyke (also tike), weanling; brat, devil, hellion, imp, jackanapes, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, urchin, whippersnapper; cherub; preteen, preteen-ager, subteen, teen, teenager, teener, teenybopper, tween; lad, nipper, shaver, stripling, tad; bobby-soxer, hoyden, tomboy

Near Antonyms

middle-ager; ancient, elder, golden-ager, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen

Other Fishes Terms

char, chum, ichthyology, smelt, tetra, turbot

Rhymes with SPRAT

bat, batt, blat, brat, cat, Cat, chat, chert, drat, fat, flat, frat, gat, gnat, hat, mat, Matt, matte, pat, phat, plait, plat, Pratt, rat, sat, scat, scatt, skat, slat, spat, splat, stat, tat, that, vat

sprat

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Species (Sprattus sprattus) of edible fish in the herring family. Sprats are silver marine fishes that form enormous schools in western European waters. Less than 6 in. (15 cm) long, they are especially valuable for canning as sardines. They are eaten fresh, tinned in oil, pickled, or smoked. The term also refers to a small or young herring or similar fish (e.g., anchovy).

Variants of SPRAT

sprat or brisling