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

Harry Brook's side were unconvincing in wins against minnows Nepal, Scotland and finally Italy, who were making their World Cup debut.

From Barron's

“There definitely aren’t any salmon in that lake. Nothing much bigger than minnows, in fact.”

From Literature

That feat alone was remarkable for a player from Fiji, a footballing minnow that Krishna had left years earlier to play semi-professionally.

From Barron's

City suffered one of the most chastening results in their history on Tuesday as the Norwegian minnows claimed their first Champions League group-stage victory.

From Barron's

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

From Barron's