shrimp

1 of 2

noun

ˈshrimp 

especially Southern ˈsrimp

plural shrimp or shrimps

1

: any of numerous mostly small and marine decapod crustaceans (suborders Dendrobranchiata and Pleocyemata) having a slender elongated body, a compressed abdomen, and a long spiny rostrum and including some (especially family Penaeidae) that are commercially important as food

also : a small crustacean (such as an amphipod or a branchiopod) resembling the true shrimp

2

usually disparaging : a very small or puny person or thing

shrimplike

ˈshrimp-ˌlīk 

ˈsrimp-

adjective

shrimpy

ˈshrim-pē 

ˈsrim-

adjective

shrimp

2 of 2

verb

shrimped; shrimping; shrimps

intransitive verb

: to fish for or catch shrimp

Examples of shrimp in a Sentence

Noun

He's a little shrimp of a boy.

the boy was just a shrimp until his teens, when he had a growth spurt

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Aquarium officials received some 500 marine animals from that operation on June 19, taking in an array of fish, sharks, clams, shrimp, prawns and tiny snails. — John Donegan Long Beach Post, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

Want a breakfast spot that checks all the boxes, from blackberry lime curd waffles to shrimp and grits, or a fresh, veggie-forward lunch? — Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026

Eng reimagined the Filet-O-Fish by building a fish-and-shrimp patty reminiscent of a Chinese fish ball. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Croquettes with jamón Serrano, Spanish tortilla, and shrimp and garlic, all at extremely reasonable prices. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English shrimpe; akin to Middle Low German schrempen to contract, wrinkle, Old Norse skorpna to shrivel up

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1808, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing shrimp

• brine shrimp
• fairy shrimp
• mantis shrimp
• popcorn chicken/shrimp
• rock shrimp
• tiger shrimp

Rhymes for shrimp

• blimp
• chimp
• crimp
• imp
• limp
• pimp
• skimp
• wimp

Kids Definition

shrimp

1 of 2 noun

ˈshrimp 

plural shrimps or shrimp

1

: any of numerous small mostly marine shellfish that are crustaceans related to the lobsters, that have a long slender body, an abdomen that is very thin from side to side, and long legs, and that include some important as food

2

: a very small or unimportant person or thing

shrimplike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

shrimp

2 of 2 verb

: to fish for or catch shrimps