anchovy
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of anchovy
1590–1600; < French or Ibero-Romance < Genoese anchua, anchova < Vulgar Latin *apiu ( v ) a, variant of Latin apua (Pliny) < Greek aphýē fry of various fishes
Explanation
An anchovy is a very small, silvery fish. People who eat anchovies enjoy their strong, fishy flavor. While you can buy fresh anchovies from many fish markets, they're most commonly sold packed in small tins, covered in salt and oil. Fishermen often use anchovies as bait for larger fish as well. Even people who don't think they like anchovies are sometimes familiar with the taste, as they're used in Caesar salad dressing and Worcestershire sauce. Anchovy comes from the Portuguese anchova, possibly from the Latin apua, "small fish."
Vocabulary lists containing anchovy
South America - Middle School
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South America - Introductory
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South America - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“If you’re an anchovy lover, this has your name on it,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026
The brand added that it doesn’t use chill packs or thermal wrappings to keep its anchovy supplies fresh.
From Salon ● May 28, 2026
“It had sardines, I believe, anchovy, tuna, and prawns on it,” Skimehorn said.
From Slate ● Nov. 13, 2025
"The future looks very bleak," said the anchovy fisherman Captain Park, now in his late 40s.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2025
She dropped the last anchovy into the glass.
From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli
Originally from Nice, the classic salade Niçoise has just a handful of local ingredients, including tomatoes, anchovies and seasonal greens.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
Plus, Comcast plans a company split, and Rafael Nadal eats anchovies for breakfast.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
During El Niño, less cold, nutrient rich water comes to the surface, reducing food availability for marine species such as anchovies.
From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026
“We’ve come to the conclusion to take our anchovies offline for the summer as shipping them in the summertime heat drastically impacts their wondrous quality.”
From Salon ● May 28, 2026
Violet roasted the garlic and washed and chopped the anchovies.
From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
