eel

American  

[eel] / il /

noun

eels plural

1. any of numerous elongated, snakelike marine or freshwater fishes of the order Apodes, having no ventral fins.

2. any of several similar but unrelated fishes, as the lamprey.

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eel British  

/ iːl /

noun

1. any teleost fish of the order Apodes (or Anguilliformes ), such as the European freshwater species Anguilla anguilla, having a long snakelike body, a smooth slimy skin, and reduced fins

2. any of various other animals with a long body and smooth skin, such as the mud eel and the electric eel

3. an evasive or untrustworthy person

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eel Idioms  

1. see slippery as an eel.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• eely
  adjective
• eellike
  adjective
• eel-like
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• eels
  plural
• eel
  plural

Etymology

Origin of eel

before 1000; Middle English ele, Old English ēl, ǣl; cognate with Dutch aal, German Aal, Old Norse āll

Explanation

An eel is a fish that's so long and skinny it resembles a snake. Most eels live in very shallow ocean waters, burrowing into the sand there. Eels are a type of fish, and though they are as long and flexible as snakes, they don't have scales, and if you look closely you can see they have a long, low fin. Eels are famous for being slippery, and in fact to be "as slippery as an eel" means to be so sneaky and cunning that you can get away with something illegal or illicit. This figurative meaning dates from the 16th century.

Example Sentences

Last year, a key global forum that regulates trade in threatened wildlife rejected an EU-led proposal to protect more species of eel.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Since the 1980s the European eel population has declined by up to 98% across all life stages.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Endangered European eel numbers in a former industrial river will be boosted thanks to a new project.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

"We've had a missed opportunity this morning, but then the fact that everyone's talking about eel, that's a huge victory too," Kerr said.

From Barron's • Nov. 27, 2025

I hesitate, since the eel is looking at me, but I think of my momma, and I want to be at least as good as her at this.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt