Meaning & use
anchovies
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“anchovies” is a form of “anchovy”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Very small salty fish, often sold in tins or jars and eaten as a topping or flavoring.
Grammar: Always plural in everyday use; the singular 'anchovy' is rare outside counting individual fish.
Patterns
- a tin of anchovies
- anchovies on something
- add anchovies to something
She put anchovies on the pizza before baking it.
I always keep a jar of anchovies in the cupboard for quick pasta sauces.
The salad came with a few anchovies on top, which made it very salty.
noununcountable
The strong salty flavor that comes from these fish, used to season food.
Grammar: No plural; used like a flavoring, often in the phrase 'a hint of anchovies'.
Patterns
- a hint of anchovies
- the taste of anchovies
- anchovies in something
The sauce has a hint of anchovies, but it doesn't taste fishy.
You can't really taste the anchovies — they just add depth to the dish.
Some people love the anchovies in Caesar dressing; others can't stand it.
Word forms
| singular | anchovy |
|---|
Common combinations
- a tin of anchovies
- He opened a tin of anchovies and added them to the sauce.
- anchovies on a pizza
- Anchovies on a pizza divide the family every time.
- a hint of anchovies
- There's just a hint of anchovies in this dressing.
- fresh anchovies
- Fresh anchovies are hard to find outside coastal markets.
- anchovies in oil
- I bought anchovies in oil, not the salted kind.
- add anchovies to something
- Add anchovies to the pan and let them melt into the oil.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sardines
- Sardines are a different small fish, usually larger and less salty; they are not a substitute in most recipes.
- fish
- A general word; use 'anchovies' when you mean this specific salty kind.
Word family
- anchovy noun
- One single fish of this kind.
- anchovied adjective
- Rare; describes food that has been flavored with anchovies.
Commonly confused: anchovies or anchovy?
anchovies vs anchovy
'Anchovy' is singular; 'anchovies' is plural. Say 'one anchovy' but 'some anchovies'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'anchovies' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The plural 'anchovies' takes a plural verb and no article when talking about an indefinite amount: 'a few anchovies'. Option A uses the singular article 'an' with a plural, C uses a singular verb, and D adds an unnecessary 'fishes'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “anchovies”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.