minnow

American  

[min-oh] / ˈmɪn oʊ /

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.

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minnow British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of minnow

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

Example Sentences

Mali come next on two points alongside Zambia, who drew 0-0 with minnows Comoros earlier in Casablanca.

From Barron's

Hosts Morocco got their Africa Cup of Nations bid off to a winning start by beating minnows Comoros 2-0 in the tournament's opening game on Sunday.

From Barron's

England and Wales have been paired together in the pool stages of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, with Tonga and minnows Zimbabwe rounding out Pool F.

From BBC

Catalan minnows Girona, 18th, have twice beaten Real Madrid at Montilivi since making their top flight debut in 2017 and for a while it looked like they were going to manage it again.

From Barron's

Fish passage has also been opened for other species recorded in the river, including the critically endangered European eel as well as grayling, trout, lamprey, minnow, stone loach, and bullhead.

From BBC