# abalone

/ˌæbəˈɫoʊni/ (US) · /ɐbˈæləʊn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abalone
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 1. the sea creature

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of sea snail that lives in a shell with a shiny, colourful inside.

For teachers: any of various edible marine gastropods of the genus Haliotis, characterised by a flattened, ear-shaped shell with a row of respiratory holes.

- Divers searched the rocky coastline for abalone clinging to the underwater stones.
- The population of wild abalone has declined significantly due to overfishing and rising ocean temperatures, leading to stricter harvesting regulations.

### 2. the food

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

the meat of this sea snail, often served as an expensive seafood dish.

For teachers: the edible flesh of the Haliotis mollusc, typically prepared by slicing and tenderising before being sautéed or served raw.

- The restaurant served thinly sliced abalone with a light butter sauce.
- Considered a delicacy in many East Asian cuisines, abalone is often featured at celebratory banquets and high-end seafood markets.

### 3. the shell material

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the hard, shiny material inside the shell, used to make jewellery or decorations.

For teachers: the iridescent inner layer of the shell, composed of nacre and used for decorative inlays or jewellery.

- The guitar was decorated with beautiful pieces of abalone around the sound hole.
- Artisans often use abalone inlays to provide a shimmering, multi-coloured finish to fine furniture and musical instruments.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.