branzino

American  

[bron-zee-noh] / brɒnˈzi noʊ /

noun

plural

branzinos

1. a silvery sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, found in the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea.

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Etymology

Origin of branzino

First recorded in 1915–20; from Venetian Italian: literally, “sea bass,” from Venetian Italian brancin “claw”, from branza “spine, claw” (from the appearance of the operculum) + -ino -ine ¹ ( def. ). Further etymology is uncertain: branza may come from Classical Latin branchia branchia ( def. ), or from Vulgar Latin brancia (unattested) and may perhaps be related to Late Latin branca “paw”; see branch ( def. )

Compare meaning

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

• branzino vs. sea bass

Example Sentences

I often use branzino for this, but any whole fish weighing about a pound will cook in a similar timeframe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

The fried branzino impressed, too, even if it was my least favorite dish; I’d still happily order it again.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

And they have this really good grilled branzino that, if you get it to go, they give it to you in a pizza box.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2024

With a bigger kitchen in Kirkland’s historical Webb Building, Donnelly will run an expanded menu: Dungeness crab with fried garlic, whole roasted branzino, sesame-crusted yellowfin tuna and an oyster bar.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 6, 2024

They start with warm, crusty bread, liberally dipped in olive oil, and then move on to salad, branzino and the penne tossed with little pillows of burrata that Ms. Resch ordered for the table.

From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2023