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

All night long patrons filled the patio tables and stood at the counter inside, where the prices were a bit lower and display cases brimmed with pintxos — rounds of bread piled with anchovies, fried squid, rare beef, gratinéed spider crab. — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Pajama tops are like anchovies—they get pushed to the side of the plate. — Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026

There are anchovies and peppers tucked between the sardines and toast; juicy dates and barely-there onions wrapped inside two types of tuna, dark maroon meat with slices of pink belly on top. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026

Also on the menu are dishes like a beef tartare hash brown with prime loin, farm egg yolk, and anchovy and okonomiyaki fries with unagi sauce, spicy mayo and bonito flakes. — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish anchova

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anchovy

• clove
• 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