Reading Theme:
Shrimp: Meaning, Examples, and Slang Uses (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：Small crustacean (Shrimp)
Shrimp
/ʃrɪmp/
n.
A small sea animal with a shell and long body, often cooked and eaten.
Small crustacean
➕
/smɔːl krʌˈsteɪʃən/
n.
A small sea animal with a shell and long body, often cooked and eaten.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Derived from Old English 'scrimpan' meaning 'to shrink', referring to its small size.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny shrimp shrinking when cooked—easy to remember the 'small' idea.
📖 Example
For a light and healthy dinner, we often grill some shrimp with a little lemon and herbs.
For a light and healthy dinner, we often grill some shrimp with a little lemon and herbs.
🔗 Collocations
grilled shrimp – Shrimp cooked on a grill
shrimp cocktail – Cold cooked shrimp served with sauce
shrimp farming – Raising shrimp in controlled environments
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
shrimping (n.) – The activity of catching shrimp
📖 Cultural Story
In English, 'shrimp' has been used since the 19th century as slang for a short person, drawing from the animal's small stature. It is a common seafood worldwide.
Meaning 2：Short person (Shrimp)
Shrimp
/ʃrɪmp/
n.
(Informal, slang) A word used to describe a person who is very short in height.
Short person
➕
/ʃɔːrt ˈpɜːrsən/
n.
(Informal, slang) A word used to describe a person who is very short in height.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Even though he was a shrimp compared to the other players, his basketball skills were incredible.
Even though he was a shrimp compared to the other players, his basketball skills were incredible.
🔗 Collocations
a little shrimp – A very short person (often playful)
that shrimp over there – Reference to a short individual
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
giant (n.) – A very tall person
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