anchovy
noun
an·cho·vy
ˈan-ˌchō-vē 
an-ˈchō-vē
plural anchovies or anchovy
: any of a family (Engraulidae) of small fishes resembling herrings that includes several (such as Engraulis encrasicolus) that are important food fishes used especially in appetizers, as a garnish, and for making sauces and relishes
Examples of anchovy in a Sentence
a salad topped with garlic and anchovies
Recent Examples on the Web
One was topped with tender steak tartare, while another conveyed a briny white anchovy on a smear of aioli.
—
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The same goes for the San Diego-Scripps conservation area, except for the recreational taking of coastal pelagic species (northern anchovy, Pacific sardine, Pacific mackerel and jack mackerel) by hook and line only.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Warm from the oven and dotted with beloved toppings (spicy banana peppers, olives, an anchovy or 10), each bite tastes almost exactly like your favorite slice.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Mar. 2026
Salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout and anchovies are especially high in these beneficial fats.
—Leeann Weintraub, Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anchovy
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Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The same goes for the San Diego-Scripps conservation area, except for the recreational taking of coastal pelagic species (northern anchovy, Pacific sardine, Pacific mackerel and jack mackerel) by hook and line only.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Warm from the oven and dotted with beloved toppings (spicy banana peppers, olives, an anchovy or 10), each bite tastes almost exactly like your favorite slice.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Mar. 2026
Salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout and anchovies are especially high in these beneficial fats.
—Leeann Weintraub, Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anchovy
Cite this Entry
“Anchovy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anchovy. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anchovy
noun
an·cho·vy
ˈan-ˌchō-vē
an-ˈchō-vē
plural anchovies or anchovy
: any of numerous small fishes resembling herrings that include several that are important food fishes used especially for sauces and relishes
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