minnow

[min-oh]

noun

plural

minnows ,

plural

minnow .

1. a small, European cyprinoid fish, Phoxinus phoxinus.

2. any other fish of the family Cyprinidae, including the carps, goldfishes, and daces.

3. any of various unrelated, small fishes.

4. a person or thing that is comparatively small or insignificant.

   With just six electoral votes up for grabs, the Midwestern swing state of Iowa is a mere minnow compared to giants like Florida and Ohio.

5. Also called crypto minnow. an investor who holds a small amount of cryptocurrency and is therefore unlikely to make transactions that have a significant effect on prices.

   In the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, minnows still play a crucial role in decentralizing ownership and participation in the industry.

minnow

/ ˈmɪnəʊ /

noun

1. a small slender European freshwater cyprinid fish, Phoxinus phoxinus

2. any other small cyprinid

3. angling a spinning lure imitating a minnow

4. a small or insignificant person

Word History and Origins

Origin of minnow¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English minwe, Old English mynwe (unrecorded), feminine of myne; cognate with Old High German munewa, a kind of fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of minnow¹

C15: related to Old English myne minnow; compare Old High German muniwa fish

Example Sentences

West Indies suffered a new low as they were bowled out for just 83 to lose their T20 series with minnows Nepal in the United Arab Emirates.

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Nolan said there will be plans announced next week in order to give more opportunities to minnows between tournaments.

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England, as they did under Southgate and others, comfortably and unspectacularly see off the game's minnows in qualifying, beating Latvia, Albania and Andorra with Tuchel in charge.

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The German was critical of the performance as England laboured to a 1-0 win over minnows Andorra in Saturday's World Cup qualifier.

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There are no minnows at the 16-team European Championship, but both England and Wales may feel the draw could have been kinder.

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