An eel is a long, slipperyHard to hold because its surface is smooth and wet. fish with a snake-likeResembling a snake in shape or movement. body. The word can also mean the fleshThe soft meat from an animal, especially the part people eat. of this fish, especially when it is used as food.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /iːl/
Easy pronunciation: EEL (approximate spelling).
Stress: Single-syllable word; the whole word is stressed.
Pronounced for the noun meaning a long fish that looks like a snake.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Eel Meaning
a long fish that looks a bit like a snake
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A long, slimy fish with a snake-like body, found in fresh or salt water.
Example: We saw an eel hiding under the rocks near the shore.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Eel
Meaning 2
eel meat used as food
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The flesh of an eel, especially when eaten as food.
Example: The restaurant serves smoked eel with bread and salad.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Eel Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- snakefish
the flesh of an eel, especially as food
- smoked eel
- pickled eel
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use eel to mean any snake-like animal, but it specifically refers to a kind of fish.
- Do not confuse eel, the fish, with eel meat, which is the food made from it.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does eel mean?
An eel is a long, slim fish with a snake-like body. It can also refer to the flesh of that fish when it is eaten as food.
What is the synonym of eel?
There is no perfect everyday synonym for eel. In a general sense, it can be described as a snake-like fish.
Is eel a fish or meat?
Eel is usually the fish itself, but it can also mean the flesh of the fish when it is used as food.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
