minnow

[ min-oh ]

noun

, plural (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) min·nows, (especially collectively, Rare) min·now

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 cryp·to min·now [krip, -toh min-oh]. an investor who holds a small amount of cryptocurrency and is therefore unlikely to make transactions that have a significant effect on prices: Compare whale ¹( def ).

   In the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, minnows still play a crucial role in decentralizing ownership and participation in the industry.

minnow

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of minnow¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of minnow¹

C15: related to Old English myne minnow; compare Old High German muniwa fish

Example Sentences

They got to touch a beached jellyfish before dragging a net through the water to capture a glistening, flip-flopping mass of minnows.

From Washington Post

It’s still early days, and it’s barely a minnow next to the wind and solar sharks in the current sea of renewables—but osmotic energy is gaining traction.

From Popular-Science

The online environment for Switch games is a minnow among sharks.

From Popular-Science

"They are using a whale to catch a minnow," said defense attorney Charles Swift.

From The Daily Beast

“They are using a whale to catch a minnow,” said defense attorney Charles Swift.

From The Daily Beast

The Minnow bites freely in fine weather, and you may take almost as many as you please by angling for them.

From Project Gutenberg

Should rain fall at this season, after the water has been low for some time, Trout will take a minnow exceedingly well.

From Project Gutenberg

The former is styled the Archimedean, the latter the Phantom Minnow, which collapses when struck by a fish.

From Project Gutenberg

Courtiers of forty years' standing, and such I may write myself, are as far to seek in the matter as a minnow in the Maelstrom.

From Project Gutenberg

They permit trolling with angels, or phantoms, or the natural minnow.

From Project Gutenberg