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• squid
  squid

  noun

  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).
• SQUID
  SQUID

  noun

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

squid

¹ American  

[skwid] / skwɪd /

noun

squid, plural squids plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• squid
  plural
• squids
  plural

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

Christopher Lopez, a Pacoima resident, who also goes by the nickname Squid, goes to the lake for the latter.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Squid and cuttlefish are among the ocean's most fascinating animals, known for their color-changing skin and jet-like movement.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

It starred South Korea's top actors -- "Squid Game" star Lee Byung-hun and "Crash Landing on You" actress Son Ye-jin -- in the lead.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

The band performed alongside a loose crew of like-minded acts like Black Country, New Road, Shame and Squid who were experimenting with noise, free jazz and textured art-rock, centered around the Brixton venue the Windmill.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

"Maybe it'll rain so hard it will fill up the whole lake," said Squid.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar