squid

¹ American  

[skwid] / skwɪd /

noun

plural

squid,

plural

squids

1. any of several ten-armed cephalopods, as of the genera Loligo and Ommastrephes, having a slender body and a pair of rounded or triangular caudal fins and varying in length from 4–6 inches (10–15 centimeters) to 60–80 feet (18–24 meters).

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SQUID ² American  

[skwid] / skwɪd /

noun

1. superconducting quantum interference device: a device that senses minute changes in magnetic fields, used to indicate neural activity in the brain.

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squid ¹ British  

/ skwɪd /

noun

1. any of various fast-moving pelagic cephalopod molluscs of the genera Loligo, Ommastrephes , etc, of most seas, having a torpedo-shaped body ranging from about 10 centimetres to 16.5 metres long and a pair of triangular tail fins: order Decapoda (decapods) See also cuttlefish

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verb

1. (intr) (of a parachute) to assume an elongated squidlike shape owing to excess air pressure

SQUID ² British  

abbreviation

1. superconducting quantum interference device

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squid ³ British  

/ skwɪd /

noun

1. slang a pound sterling

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Etymology

Origin of squid¹

First recorded in 1605–15; origin uncertain

Origin of SQUID²

First recorded in 1965–70

Explanation

A squid is a sea creature that's similar to an octopus but has ten arms instead of eight—including two extra tentacles they use for grabbing their prey. The largest squid ever found was nearly 60 feet long! Like their octopus relatives, squid are cephalopods, or mollusks with prominent heads and many arms. Squid can swim extremely fast by sucking in water and propelling it out (just like jet propulsion), and their skin can change color so they blend in with their surroundings. Squid squirt a kind of dark ink to confuse predators; some language experts believe that squid was once sailors' slang for squirt.

Example Sentences

Others have taken to fishing over the side of their tankers, catching tuna, squid and largehead hairtail to cook.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

If you play with squid, be ready for the ink.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

Grey seals typically feed on fish such as sand eels, cod and herring, as well as squid and crustaceans.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Researchers estimate the animal measured about three meters long and likely fed on fish and squid.

From Science Daily • Feb. 24, 2026

Sitting near the lake, watching the giant squid waving its tentacles lazily above the water, Harry lost the thread of the conversation as he looked across to the opposite bank.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling