sardine

sardine — noun

1. A small ocean fish that people preserve in metal cans or cook fresh as food.

1.nounB1
Definition

A small ocean fish that people preserve in metal cans or cook fresh as food.

Example

Sari opened a tin of sardines and ate them with crackers for a quick lunch.

collocation: tin of sardines / canned sardines

The fishing boats returned with nets full of sardines from the early morning catch.

fishing industry: nets full of sardines

Common collocations
  • tin of sardines
  • canned sardines
  • fresh sardines
  • sardine sandwich
  • sardine fisherman
  • sardine catch
Synonyms
  • pilchard

    A specific type of larger sardine; in some regions, young pilchards are sold as sardines.

Grammar Patterns

sardine (singular)

sardines (plural)

Usage Note

Often used in the plural form sardines, especially when referring to the fish as a food product. The singular sardine is used for individual fish or when talking about the species.

Common Mistakes

I bought a tin of sardine at the store.
I bought a tin of sardines at the store.
When referring to the preserved food product, use the plural form sardines.
Idioms

packed like sardines

idiom

Pressed very tightly together in a small space, like sardines in a can.

The commuters stood packed like sardines inside the subway car during rush hour.

Twenty guests were packed like sardines into the tiny living room.

like sardines

idiom

Closely crowded together in a way that leaves almost no room to move.

The fans stood like sardines at the front of the concert stage, barely able to move.

(packed, crammed, etc.) like sardines

idiom

Pressed very tightly together, usually in an uncomfortable way.

The subway was so crowded that we stood like sardines.

Did you feel like sardines in that tiny elevator?

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Sardines, anchovies, herrings, and pilchards are all small, oily ocean fish, but they differ in size, taste, and how they are prepared. Sardines are small, soft-boned fish commonly sold in tins. Anchovies are smaller, saltier, and more intensely flavoured — often used as a seasoning in sauces and on pizza. Herrings are larger than sardines and are often pickled, smoked, or eaten fresh. Pilchards are actually larger, more mature sardines; in some regions, young pilchards are labelled as sardines. When shopping for tinned fish, look for 'sardines' if you want a mild flavour, and 'anchovies' if you need a strong, salty taste for cooking.

sardine ↗anchovyherring ↗pilchard

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word sardine entered English from French in the 1400s. It comes from Latin sardina, which was borrowed from Greek sardine, a fish supposedly named after the island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea, where these fish were once abundant.