# prawn

/ˈpɹɔn/ (US) · /pɹˈɔːn/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prawn
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a large, tasty shrimp that people often eat. It is similar to a lobster but smaller and usually found in salt water.

For teachers: a large, edible crustacean of the family Penaeidae, typically found in tropical and subtropical waters. Often used in culinary contexts to refer to the edible shrimp.

## Examples

- We ate grilled prawns with a fresh lemon sauce.
- The restaurant serves a daily special of sautéed prawns with garlic and white wine.
- While the term 'prawn' is common in British English, it is often replaced by 'shrimp' in American English to distinguish the smaller, freshwater variety from the larger, saltwater species.

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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.