scallop

1 of 2

noun

scal·​lop ˈskä-ləp  ˈska- 

ˈskȯ-

variants or less commonly scollop

ˈskä- 

ˈskȯ-

1

a

: any of numerous marine bivalve lamellibranch mollusks (family Pectinidae) that have a radially ribbed shell with the edge undulated and that swim by opening and closing the valves

b

: the adductor muscle of a scallop as an article of food

2

a

: a valve or shell of a scallop

b

: a baking dish shaped like a valve of a scallop

3

: one of a continuous series of circle segments or angular projections forming a border (as on cloth or metal)

4

: pattypan

5

[French escalope, probably from Middle French, shell] : a thin slice of boneless meat or fish

veal scallops

called also escalope

Illustration of scallop

• scallop 2a

scallop

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly scollop

scalloped also scolloped; scalloping also scolloping; scallops also scollops

transitive verb

1

a

: to shape, cut, or finish in scallops

b

: to form scallops in

2

[from the use of a scallop shell as a baking dish] : to bake in a sauce usually covered with seasoned bread or cracker crumbs

scalloped potatoes

intransitive verb

: to gather or dredge scallops

Examples of scallop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Start your meal with a basket of mini crab cakes, then pick an under-the-sea entrée ranging from jerked tuna tacos to a North Carolina shrimp burger to a seafood platter with your choice of shrimp, scallops, flounder, clam strips, catfish, chicken tenders, or crab cakes. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025

The scallops sizzle in a hot carbon-steel skillet on the stove, and Kolender transfers the pan to the high-heat broiler. —Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025

Verb

Each of the 18 pieces feature soft, colorful blooms, bright monarch butterflies, and scalloped edges, and your table will be fully finished with the set’s mugs, dinner plates, and salad plates. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2025

Cozy Caves Are the Bigger, Better Book Nooks—Here's How to Make Your Own 01 of 10 Romance: Warm, Cozy, and Inviting Rosy hues, scalloped edges, and floral patterns are synonymous with romance books because of the warm, fluttery feeling a good love story leaves the reader with. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scalop, from Anglo-French escalope shell, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch schelpe shell

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1682, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing scallop

• bay scallop
• sea scallop

Rhymes for scallop

• gallop
• jalap
• shallop

Kids Definition

scallop

1 of 2 noun

scal·​lop ˈskäl-əp  ˈskal- 

1

a

: any of a family of marine mollusks with a two-part ribbed shell

b

: a muscle of the scallop used for food

2

: one of the two parts of a scallop shell

3

: one of a continuous series of rounded half-circles forming a border (as on lace)

scallop

2 of 2 verb

1

: to bake in a sauce usually covered with seasoned bread or cracker crumbs

scalloped potatoes

2

: to shape, cut, or make an edge in scallops