scallops

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Sea animals with two hinged, fan-shaped shells; the soft round muscle inside is eaten as seafood.

   Grammar: Plural of 'scallop': a plate of scallops.

   Patterns

   • a dish of scallops

   We ordered seared scallops with lemon butter.

   Fishermen dredge for scallops off the northern coast.

   The restaurant is known for its fresh scallops.

2. 2nounplural

   Small curved shapes forming a wavy decorative edge, used on fabric, pastry or paper.

   Grammar: Plural form of 'scallop' in its decoration sense, often used with 'edge'.

   Patterns

   • scallops along the edge

   The tablecloth had delicate scallops along its border.

   She trimmed the pie crust with neat scallops.

   The curtains were finished with deep scallops at the bottom.

Word forms

Common combinations

seared scallops

Seared scallops are quick to cook.

fresh scallops

Buy fresh scallops on the day you plan to cook them.

bay scallops

Bay scallops are smaller and sweeter than sea scallops.

scallops and bacon

The starter was scallops and bacon on a pea purée.

dive for scallops

They dive for scallops in the cold waters.

Synonyms and how they differ

clams

Clams are another kind of shellfish, but they have rounder shells and chewier meat.

oysters

Oysters have rough, uneven shells and a briny, softer flesh, unlike the firm, sweet scallop.

mussels

Mussels are smaller, dark-shelled and are usually eaten whole in the shell.

Word family

scallop noun

one such shellfish or curve

scalloped adjective

having a wavy, curved edge

scalloping noun

gathering or fishing for scallops

escalope noun

a thin slice of meat, a different word

Commonly confused: scallops or scallions? scallops or escalopes?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “scallops”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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