trout

trout — noun

1. a fish with small dark spots that lives in clean rivers and mountain lakes, and

1.nounA2
Definition

a fish with small dark spots that lives in clean rivers and mountain lakes, and is caught for food or for sport

Example

Minh caught a beautiful trout in the mountain stream and cooked it for dinner.

Shanti and her father spent the afternoon fishing for brown trout at the lake.

fishing for + type of trout

Common collocations
  • catch trout
  • fish for trout
  • trout stream
  • rainbow trout
  • brown trout
  • brook trout
  • trout fishing
Synonyms
  • salmon

    a larger related fish that migrates to the sea; trout tend to be smaller and stay in fresh water

  • char

    a fish from the same family found in similar cold-water habitats, often with lighter spots

Usage Note

When referring to the fish as a species or general category, trout is uncountable ('Trout are found in most mountain streams'). When referring to individual fish, it is countable ('I caught three trout'). The plural is also trout, not trouts.

Common Mistakes

I caught three trouts in the stream.
I caught three trout in the stream.
The plural of trout is the same as the singular.
That salmon is a type of trout.
That fish is a type of trout.
Salmon and trout are different but related species.

2. the pink or white flesh of a trout, prepared and eaten as a meal

2.nounA2
Definition

the pink or white flesh of a trout, prepared and eaten as a meal

Example

The restaurant served grilled trout with lemon and fresh herbs on the side.

grilled trout + with [seasoning/sides]

For dinner, Élise baked the trout with garlic, butter, and sliced almonds.

Common collocations
  • grilled trout
  • smoked trout
  • baked trout
  • pan-fried trout
  • trout fillet
  • trout with almonds
Synonyms
  • salmon

    similar pink-fleshed fish but with a stronger flavour and higher oil content

  • whitefish

    a general term for mild-flavoured freshwater fish often used in similar recipes

Usage Note

This sense is always uncountable, so you cannot say 'a trout' when referring to the food on your plate. Use 'some trout' or 'the trout' instead.

Common Mistakes

I ate a trout for lunch.' (when referring to the meat).
I ate trout for lunch.' or 'I ate some trout for lunch.
The food sense is uncountable.

3. an insulting word for an older woman who is thought to be bad-tempered, annoying

3.nounC1
Definition

an insulting word for an older woman who is thought to be bad-tempered, annoying, or physically unattractive

Example

The old trout next door complained loudly about the children playing in the garden.

old trout as a disparaging term for a neighbour

Femi's uncle called the neighbour a miserable old trout after she shouted at their dog.

Common collocations
  • old trout
  • miserable old trout
  • grumpy old trout
Synonyms
  • old bat

    a very similar British insult for an older woman, also informal and offensive

  • hag

    a stronger, more vivid insult suggesting ugliness as well as bad temper

  • crone

    a literary term for an old woman, often carrying negative connotations but less personal than 'trout'

Usage Note

This is a strong insult and should be avoided in polite conversation. It is primarily British English and is considered offensive, especially when directed at a woman. Compare with 'old bat' (similar register) or 'crone' (more literary, less personal).

Common Mistakes

Using 'trout' as a neutral description of an elderly woman.
Reserve this word only for deliberate insults.
Unlike 'senior' or 'elderly', this word carries strong negative judgement.

Word family

  • trout fishing
    noun phraseB1
  • trout farmer
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Trout, salmon, and char are all members of the Salmonidae family and share similar body shapes, but differ in habitat and appearance. Trout (such as rainbow and brown trout) typically spend their entire lives in fresh water, have smaller bodies with light spots on darker backgrounds, and offer a mild, delicate flavour. Salmon are generally larger, migrate between fresh and salt water during their life cycle, and have a richer pink flesh with a stronger taste. Char are the least common in markets; they inhabit very cold, deep lakes and have lighter spots on a darker body with distinctive red or orange bellies. For example, a menu might list 'grilled rainbow trout' for a mild option, 'smoked salmon' for a rich starter, and 'Arctic char' as a premium alternative to both.

trout ↗salmon ↗char ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • trout fishing
  • trout stream
  • trout farm
  • trout season
  • trout population

Prepositions

  • trout in [river/lake]
  • trout with [side dish]

Etymology

GreekLatinOld EnglishEnglish

The word 'trout' comes from Old English 'truht', which was borrowed from Late Latin 'tructa' — itself taken from Greek 'trōktēs', meaning 'a kind of gnawing fish'. The Greek root 'trōgein' means 'to gnaw', possibly referring to the way trout nibble at food or bite at bait. The word has been used in English since before the 12th century.