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 group stage would be a series of blowouts, the sharks would devour the minnows. — Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026

Sweden are no minnows, either, and will be eager to put an end to the French juggernaut. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026

In the report, the state said the dead fish species included black and striped bass, bullhead, catfish, rainbow trout, shad, sunfish, yellow perch, and minnows. — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 25 June 2026

But these were minnows, and Zico saved his best performance for the showdown against Argentina; Zico against Diego Maradona. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 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