calamari

IPA/ˌkæl.əˈmɑː.ri/
KK[kɑlɑmˈɑri]IPA/ˌkæl.əˈmɑːr.i/

calamari — noun

1. squid served as a dish, especially in rings or small pieces on a menu

1.nounB2
Definition

squid served as a dish, especially in rings or small pieces on a menu

Example

Meera ordered crispy calamari to share before the main course.

restaurant order: appetizer before the main course

The waiter served the calamari with lemon and a bowl of sauce.

common serving pattern: with lemon and sauce

Common collocations
  • fried calamari
  • grilled calamari
  • calamari rings
  • a plate of calamari
  • crispy calamari
Synonyms
  • squid

    general word for the animal and for its meat; calamari is mostly used on menus or for prepared dishes

Usage Note

Usually treated as an uncountable menu item. It often appears with verbs such as order, serve, fry, and grill, and it normally refers to prepared squid rather than the live animal.

Common Mistakes

We saw calamari swimming near the boat.
We saw squid swimming near the boat.
Calamari is mainly used for squid as food; use squid for the living animal.

Etymology

First known use

1826

1826, in the meaning defined above