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Synonyms

scad

1 American  
[skad] / skæd /

noun

plural

scad,

plural

scads

  1. any carangid fish of the genus Decapterus, inhabiting tropical and subtropical shore waters.

  2. any of several related carangid fishes, as of the genera Trachurus or Selar.

scad 2 American  
[skad] / skæd /

noun

  1. Informal. a great number or quantity.

    scads of money.

  2. Archaic. a piece of money; dollar.

scad British  
/ skæd /

noun

  1. any of various carangid fishes of the genus Trachurus, esp the horse mackerel

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of scad1

First recorded in 1595–1605; origin uncertain

Origin of scad2

1855–60, of obscure origin; compare British dial scal ( d ) a great quantity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Deboning a small yellowstripe scad, 67-year-old vendor Malida Chaiyakul said supply chains were at risk.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

It had come back with just 300 kilos of black scad, which would be distributed at the local market.

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2021

Wahoo are good on live bait such as scad.

From Washington Times • Oct. 23, 2019

People have flocked to this year's scad of stereoscopic sensations, in spite of the hefty ticket-price premium they've commanded.

From The Guardian • Jul. 5, 2010

For—you comprehend?—my wife and I have settled that she shall forgif her oncle; I shall forgif my father; but from them we take no cent, not a red, not a scad!

From Stories in Light and Shadow by Harte, Bret

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.