lobster

IPA/ˈlɒbstə(r)/
KK[lˈɑbstɚ]IPA/ˈlɑːbstər/

lobster — noun

  • lobstersingular
  • lobstersplural

1. A large edible shellfish that lives on the ocean floor, with a dark coloured out

1.nounB1
Definition

A large edible shellfish that lives on the ocean floor, with a dark coloured outer casing that turns bright red after cooking, two big front pincers, and ten limbs. The name also refers to its meat when served as a meal.

Example

In Maine, lobsters are caught in traps and sold to seafood restaurants.

passive: are caught, for food industry context

Ayesha celebrated her promotion by ordering grilled lobster at a French restaurant.

uncountable: lobster as meat/food

Common collocations
  • grilled lobster
  • steamed lobster
  • boiled lobster
  • live lobster
  • wild lobster
  • lobster tail
  • lobster claw
  • lobster trap
  • lobster bisque
  • lobster roll
  • lobster dinner
  • Maine lobster
  • crack a lobster
  • catch lobsters
Synonyms
  • crayfish

    a smaller freshwater relative; sometimes called 'lobster' in informal British English but not the same animal

  • langoustine

    a smaller, slender clawed crustacean (Nephrops norvegicus), considered more delicate; less common in everyday speech

Grammar Patterns

countable when referring to the animal

uncountable when referring to the meat

Usage Note

Lobster is countable when referring to the live animal ('caught three lobsters') and uncountable when referring to the meat eaten as food ('a plate of lobster'). The plural form 'lobsters' refers to multiple animals, not multiple servings of meat.

Common Mistakes

I ate a lobster for dinner' (when you mean the meat, not the whole animal).
I ate lobster for dinner' or 'I ate a whole lobster for dinner.
'a lobster' refers to the entire animal; use the uncountable form for the food ingredient.
The lobsters at that restaurant is excellent.
The lobster at that restaurant is excellent.
when talking about the dish/flavour, treat it as uncountable and use a singular verb.

Word family

  • lobsterman
    nounC2
  • lobstering
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Lobster, crab, shrimp, prawn, and crayfish are all edible crustaceans, but they differ in size, habitat, and how they are eaten. Lobster is the largest of the group, with two prominent claws and a long, segmented body, and it is seen as a luxury food in most cultures. Crab has a wider, flatter body and walks sideways, and its meat is sweeter and flakier. Shrimp and prawn are much smaller, with no large claws, and are eaten whole or peeled — 'prawn' is more common in British English for larger varieties, while 'shrimp' is the standard American term. Crayfish (also called crawfish in the US South) are freshwater relatives of lobsters but much smaller, often boiled whole in spice mixtures for casual gatherings. A diner ordering 'lobster' expects a high-cost, restaurant-style meal, whereas 'shrimp' or 'crayfish' suggests a more everyday or outdoor dining setting.

crab ↗shrimp ↗prawn ↗crayfish ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • freshly caught
  • locally sourced
  • wild-caught

Phrases

  • lobster thermidor
  • lobster Newburg
  • lobster salad
  • Maine lobster
  • rock lobster

Prepositions

  • with lobster
  • of lobster
  • for lobster

Etymology

LatinOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'lobster' entered English from Old English 'loppestre', which may come from Latin 'locusta' meaning 'locust' or 'shellfish', combined with an Old English suffix. The name was originally given because early English speakers thought the animal's body and legs resembled a locust's shape. Over time, the word shifted from referring to any large marine crustacean to specifically the clawed species now common in North Atlantic fisheries.