crawfish

1 of 2

noun

craw·​fish ˈkrȯ-ˌfish How to pronounce crawfish (audio)
1
: crayfish sense 1
2
: spiny lobster

crawfish

2 of 2

verb

crawfished; crawfishing; crawfishes

intransitive verb

: to retreat from a position : back out
I crawfished as fast as I could— Mark Twain

Examples of crawfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Will have crawfish, Jell-O shots and corned beef and cabbage. — Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025 Dishes like the delicate John Dory, razor clam and quinoa, or the unorthodox crawfish with Korean soup, are an exhilarating celebration of flavor, texture and craftsmanship. — Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
These scents come in many styles, from roll-on sticks, to gels, to sprays, and flavors can range from shad to crawfish to garlic and beyond. — Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 19 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for crawfish

Word History

Etymology

Noun

by folk etymology from Middle English crevis, kraveys

First Known Use

Noun

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crawfish was in 1624

Rhymes for crawfish

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Browse Nearby Words

crawfish
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Cite this Entry

“Crawfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crawfish. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

crawfish

noun
craw·​fish
ˈkrȯ-ˌfish
1
: crayfish sense 1
2
: spiny lobster

More from Merriam-Webster on crawfish

Nglish: Translation of crawfish for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crawfish

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