What does pomfret mean?
Pomfret is a common name for members of the marine fish family Bramidae, whose bodies are laterally flattened and often silvery, with forked tails. In ordinary English, it often refers to the Atlantic pomfret, also called gray pomfret, although regional markets and recipes may use the name for other species. Pomfret is valued as a food fish and may be sold whole, grilled, steamed, or baked, or prepared as fillets. Its firm flesh and clean flavor make it popular in coastal cuisines, while the many small bones mean that whole-fish presentations are especially common. The name itself is a borrowing: English took it from French, which borrowed it from Portuguese and ultimately from Malay. Pomfret should not be confused with pompano: both are commercially important marine fish, but they belong to different scientific families. The word is especially useful to readers because a seemingly ordinary market name can refer to more than one species and to regional culinary traditions.
nounAny of various marine fishes of the family Bramidae, especially the Atlantic pomfret, also called the gray or grey pomfret, with a compressed silvery body and a forked tail. The name is also applied to several related species valued as food fish.
- Any of various marine fishes of the family Bramidae, particularly the Atlantic pomfret, having a laterally compressed, often silvery body and a forked tail.
"The restaurant served grilled pomfret with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs."
"We grilled whole pomfret and served it with a lemon-and-parsley sauce."
"The marine biologist identified the catch as a juvenile Pacific pomfret."
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple fish or multiple specimens.
"The market had fresh pomfrets available from several local fisheries."
A single English name can point to different fish: in South Asian seafood markets, “pomfret” usually means Indian pomfret rather than the Atlantic or gray pomfret.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pomfret come from?
The English word dates from the 17th century and was borrowed from French pomfret. French obtained the word from Portuguese, which in turn borrowed it from Malay, the earliest attested source in this chain.
Related word forms
How pomfret is actually used
This is chiefly fishing, seafood-market, and culinary terminology. Regional usage may favor different species, so a dish described simply as pomfret does not always identify one particular fish.
Easily confused with pomfret
Pomfret and pompano are distinct marine fishes from different scientific families, although both may appear in seafood markets and culinary contexts.