eel

[eel]

noun

plural

eel ,

plural

eels .

1. any of numerous elongated, snakelike marine or freshwater fishes of the order Apodes, having no ventral fins.

2. any of several similar but unrelated fishes, as the lamprey.

eel

/ iːl /

noun

1. any teleost fish of the order Apodes (or Anguilliformes ), such as the European freshwater species Anguilla anguilla, having a long snakelike body, a smooth slimy skin, and reduced fins

2. any of various other animals with a long body and smooth skin, such as the mud eel and the electric eel

3. an evasive or untrustworthy person

Other Word Forms

• eel-like adjective
• eely adjective
• eellike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eel¹

before 1000; Middle English ele, Old English ēl, ǣl; cognate with Dutch aal, German Aal, Old Norse āll

Word History and Origins

Origin of eel¹

Old English ǣl; related to Old Frisian ēl, Old Norse āll, Old High German āl

Idioms and Phrases

see slippery as an eel.

Example Sentences

Man-su is grilling up a late-summer dinner for his family: expensive eel, a thank-you gift for his “years of hard work and dedication” to the paper manufacturing company he works for.

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The Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-Op recently extended a ban on commercial eel fishing at the lough earlier this summer.

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Across Europe, eels are managed under the terms of regional Eel Management Plans.

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There are also plans to produce fish-like products this way, including eel and even caviar.

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Both sunlight and moonlight play roles in regulating the spawning and migration of Japanese eels.

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