calamari

American  

[kal-uh-mahr-ee, kah-luh-, kah-lah-mah-ree] / ˌkæl əˈmɑr i, ˌkɑ lə-, ˌkɑ lɑˈmɑ ri /

noun

Cooking.

1. squid.

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calamari British  

/ ˌkæləˈmɑːrɪ /

noun

1. squid cooked for eating, esp cut into rings and fried in batter

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Etymology

Origin of calamari

First recorded in 1820–30; from Italian, plural of calamaro, calamaio (short for pesce calamaio ), from Late Latin calamārium “inkhorn, pen case” (referring to the ink ejected by the squid), Latin calamārius “pertaining to a pen”; calamus, -ary

Example Sentences

He recalls those early years eating calamari straight from the fryer and begrudgingly embracing room-temperature plates.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

Chef and owner Elmer Komagata will add a street food menu at the new location, including gyoza dumplings, fried calamari and takoyaki.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 6, 2024

Wild shipworms are eaten in the Philippines -- either raw, or battered and fried like calamari.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2023

I love the kale salad with the pomegranate seeds and no nuts, calamari, the cacio e pepe pasta, and I’m drinking some red wine.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2023

I see an exit sign at the end of the bathroom hallway and make a hard left, passing a waitress holding a tray of calamari.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle