English Reference

Word

tuna

Phoneticstu·na

US/ˈtjunə/

UK/tjˈuːnɐ/

Definitions

01the fish

A2 · Science

n. a large, fast-swimming sea fish that lives in warm oceans.

n. any of several species of large marine fish in the family Scombridae, known for their speed and migratory habits.

“The documentary showed a huge tuna swimming through the deep blue water.”

“Commercial fishing for bluefin tuna is strictly regulated in many international waters to prevent the collapse of local populations.”

Usage

The plural can be either 'tuna' or 'tunas', though 'tuna' is more common when referring to the fish as a group.

Synonyms

tunny

02the food

A2 · Cooking

n. the meat of the tuna fish, often sold in cans or served as steaks.

n. the edible flesh of the tuna, widely consumed as a source of protein in various culinary traditions.

“I usually have a tuna sandwich for lunch because it is quick to make.”

“The chef prepared a delicate tartare of fresh yellowfin tuna, seasoned lightly with citrus and sea salt.”

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the meat as food.

03the cactus

C1

n. a type of cactus with sharp spines, or the sweet fruit that grows on it.

n. the prickly pear cactus of the genus Opuntia, or its edible, fleshy fruit.

“Be careful not to touch the tuna plant, as it is covered in tiny needles.”

“In many arid regions, the fruit of the tuna is harvested and processed into jams or refreshing beverages.”

American English

Usage

Commonly used in the Southwestern United States and Mexico.

Synonyms

prickly pear

04mythology

C2 · Religion

n. a god in some Pacific cultures who is the father of eels.

n. a deity in Polynesian mythology, specifically associated with the origin of eels.

“The old story tells how the god Tuna was turned into the first eel.”

“In Maori mythology, the death of Tuna led to the creation of the various species of eels found in the rivers.”

Literary

Etymology

Etymology tree Arabic اَلْ (al-) Phoenicianbor. Ancient Greek θῠ́ννος (thŭ́nnos)bor. Latin thunnusbor. Arabic تُنّ (tunn) Arabic اَلتُّنّ (at-tunn) Andalusian Arabic [Term?]bor. Old Spanish atun Spanish atúnder. United States Spanish tunabor. English tuna Borrowed from United States Spanish tuna, alteration of Spanish atún, from Arabic اَلتُّنّ (at-tunn, “tuna”), from Latin thunnus, itself from Ancient Greek θύννος (thúnnos). Possibly in the sense of "darter" from thynein "to dart along". Doublet of tonno.

From Taíno.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domain

Mythology

This entry

Level
A2 · Elementary
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference