bonito

noun

bo·​ni·​to bə-ˈnē-(ˌ)tō  -ˈnē-tə 

plural bonitos or bonito

1

: any of several swift-swimming scombroid fishes (genus Sarda) that are typically dark blue to bluish-green with dark stripes and a silvery belly, that are intermediate in size between the related mackerel and tuna, and that are valued as food and sport fishes

… the Atlantic bonito not only strikes hard …, the fish is also excellent table fare.

—Star-News (Wilmington, North Carolina)

Pacific bonito are related to tuna and can grow to 20 pounds.

—Allen Bushnell

also : a closely related fish (such as a dogtooth tuna or little tunny)

2

: skipjack tuna

For tuna—bluefin … and bonito—the fishermen … would drag a net between two boats …

—Mark Kurlansky

My mother adopted the habit of offering as a condiment dried bonito flakes …

—Corby Kummer

Examples of bonito in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alexander Baxter Lobster, rye, and bonito leaves in bowls by ceramicist Cara Guthrie. —Sarah Wood, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024

Local angler Tyler Arrington fished offshore of Haulover Inlet in 125 feet of water and caught gaffer-size dolphins, kingfish, lots of bonitos, sailfish and lost a nice wahoo at boat side. —Alan Sherman, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

Special touches include the bonito, which is cured in brandy for a hint of smokiness, and Hokkaido scallop, which is kissed with black truffle salt. —Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2023

Designed in the image of the beloved Bon Bon Bon chocolate truffle cube, the Bone-Eat-O is made of peanut butter, oats and bonito flakes and is so popular, the limited quantity bites may just sell out before your pals from the dog park will have a chance at a taste. —Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 12 Aug. 2023

Dominoes of bonito from Spain’s Atlantic coast were smoked over thyme and sage, then served with pistachios, ponzu, and umbrellas of spicy nasturtium. —Matt Goulding, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2023

From then until September, small bonito del norte (albacore) are fished by line and rod, carted ashore and sold at auction. —Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2023

No one treats vegetables as creatively as Kluger, and fans will be happy to see garden-forward dishes like local radishes with grapefruit and mint; sugar snap peas with bonito vinaigrette and buttermilk; English pea and fava fritters; and carrot hummus. —William Li, Town & Country, 29 June 2023

Catching the bait is great fun in itself, with a feeding frenzy on the surface, as the skipjack and bonito corral tiny minnows and drive them to the surface of the water, and the birds swirl around them overheard. —David Halberstam, Town & Country, 15 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from bonito pretty, diminutive of bueno good, from Latin bonus

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bonito

noun

bo·​ni·​to bə-ˈnēt-ō 

-ˈnēt-ə

plural bonitos or bonito

: any of various medium-sized tunas