herring
|her/ring|
B2
/ˈhɛrɪŋ/
small silvery fish
Etymology
Etymology Information
'herring' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hæring', where 'hær' meant 'army' due to the fish's tendency to swim in large schools.
Historical Evolution
'hæring' changed from Old English to the modern English word 'herring'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a fish that swims in large groups', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small, silvery fish found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, often used for food.
The fisherman caught a large herring.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/07/06 09:50