# shellfish

/ˈʃɛɫˌfɪʃ/ (US) · /ʃˈɛlfɪʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shellfish
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. edible water animals with shells

noun · CEFR B1

animals that live in water and have a shell, like crabs, lobsters, or mussels, which people often eat.

For teachers: a culinary and biological category for aquatic invertebrates with shells, specifically crustaceans and molluscs, used as a food source.

- She is allergic to shellfish, so she never eats lobster or shrimp.
- The restaurant specialises in locally sourced shellfish, offering a variety of oysters, clams, and seasonal crabs caught that morning.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to food, but can be countable when referring to specific species.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse this with 'fish'; clarify that shellfish are invertebrates and that allergies to them are distinct from fish allergies.

## Examples

- I always order the grilled shellfish at this restaurant.
- The chef prepares a rich stew filled with fresh shellfish caught by local fishermen that morning.
- Marine biologists are monitoring the local shellfish populations to determine how rising ocean temperatures and acidification affect the development of their protective outer layers.

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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.