Word Noun
eel
n.
countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈiɫ/ UK /ˈiːl/ eel UK spelling eel's, eel's
Definition
n.a long, thin fish that looks like a snake. You can find them in both fresh and salt water, and some people eat them as a delicacy.
n.a snake-like fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes, characterized by an elongated body and the absence of pelvic fins.
Examples
“The eel hides among the rocks in the river.”
“While snorkeling near the reef, we saw a moray eel peeking out from a small cave.”
“The life cycle of the European eel remains a biological mystery, as the adults migrate thousands of miles to the Sargasso Sea to spawn before they die.”
Usage
The plural form can be 'eel' when referring to the animal as food or a collective group, but 'eels' is standard for individual fish.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated