minnow

noun

min·​now ˈmi-(ˌ)nō 

plural minnows also minnow

1

a

: a small cyprinid, killifish, or topminnow

b

: any of various small fish that are less than a designated size and are not game fish

2

: a live or artificial minnow used as bait

Examples of minnow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The closest Spain got to that was against Cape Verde, but even the most swooning sentimentalists will recognise that the minnows were pretty lucky in that one. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026

As a result, the harmonies and chords are in a state of perpetual change, moving together more like clouds of starlings or minnows than a single frog hopping from stone to stone. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

World Cup minnow Haiti took a 2-1 lead against a strong looking Morocco, scoring one of the goals of the tournament in the process and bringing joy to countless Haitian fans. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Compared to powerhouses like France or Spain, Bosnia is a relative minnow of European soccer. — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English menawe; akin to Old English myne minnow, Old High German munewa, a kind of fish

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

minnow

noun

min·​now ˈmin-ō 

plural minnows also minnow

: any of various small freshwater fishes (as a dace or shiner) related to the carps

also : any of various small fishes that resemble minnows