To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Dol·ly Var·den | \ ˌdä-lē-ˈvär-dᵊn- 
\
\variants:
or Dolly Varden trout
Definition of Dolly Varden
: a large freshwater or anadromous char (Salvelinus malma) that is widespread in streams of northwestern North America and eastern Asia, may attain a weight of 20 pounds (9.1 kilograms) but is usually much smaller, and is typically olive green to greenish-brown with yellow to red spots when found in fresh water and silvery with orange spots in salt water
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on Dolly Varden
What made you want to look up Dolly Varden? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz
- Match the pasta to its meaning in English: Rotelle
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz
Match the pasta with its meaning in Italian.
Take the quiz - Confusing Words—A Quiz
Test your knowledge of these commonly confused words!
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Citation
Do you know the person or title these quotes describe?
Play the game
Share Dolly Varden
Resources for Dolly Varden