mackerel

American  

[mak-er-uhl, mak-ruhl] / ˈmæk ər əl, ˈmæk rəl /

noun

mackerel, plural mackerels plural

1. a food fish, Scomber scombrus, of the North Atlantic, having wavy cross markings on the back.

2. Spanish mackerel.

3. any of various similar fishes, as the Atka mackerel.

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mackerel British  

/ ˈmækrəl /

noun

1. a spiny-finned food fish, Scomber scombrus, occurring in northern coastal regions of the Atlantic and in the Mediterranean: family Scombridae. It has a deeply forked tail and a greenish-blue body marked with wavy dark bands on the back Compare Spanish mackerel

2. any of various other fishes of the family Scombridae, such as Scomber colias (Spanish mackerel) and S. japonicus (Pacific mackerel)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mackerel
  plural
• mackerels
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mackerel

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French, perhaps same word as Middle French maquerel pimp < Middle Dutch makelare broker (by metathesis), equivalent to makel ( en ) to bring together + -are -er ¹

Compare meaning

How does mackerel compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• king mackerel vs. mackerel

Example Sentences

Fishwife’s most popular products, including its Smoked Rainbow Trout and Slow Smoked Mackerel with Chili Flakes, were available for purchase.

From Salon • Oct. 11, 2024

Mackerel is a star of the gulf ecosystem, not only for gannets.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 12, 2022

Mackerel stays green-rated, scampi and langoustine are an amber choice if trawled but best choice if pot-caught.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2022

Spanish Mackerel is good on cut bait, squid or shrimp.

From Washington Times • Oct. 9, 2019

"Mackerel sky, mackerel sky, not long wet nor not long dry," said a man in a black silk top hat to Tristran and Yvaine.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman