What does sardine mean?
A sardine is a small, silvery marine fish of the herring family, valued for its delicate flavor and commonly sold canned in oil, tomato sauce, or other dressings. Fresh sardines are also eaten grilled, fried, or baked. In informal British English, the word can be used as a verb for crowding people or objects tightly into a confined space, as in a story about passengers sardined into a train. As a noun, sardine is often associated with inexpensive, plentiful food and with compact packaging, especially the familiar one-tin or multi-tin format. Although it is physically small, it has acquired a memorable place in everyday vocabulary through its role in popular food, wartime shortages, and the imagery of fish packed closely together. The term is natural in both British and American English, while the verb is particularly associated with British usage.
A small, silvery marine fish of the herring family, commonly eaten fresh, canned, or preserved in oil.
"She opened a tin of sardines for lunch."
The word is standard in British and American English.
To crowd or pack people or objects tightly into a limited space.
"The group sardined themselves onto the small boat."
Informal and especially common in British English.
The plural is used for individual fish and for multiple tins or servings of sardines.
"The shop sells several kinds of smoked sardines."
The tiny sardine became a symbol of abundance when wartime rationing turned it into an unexpected everyday delicacy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sardine come from?
The English noun comes through French sardine, from Latin sardina, which was borrowed from Ancient Greek σαρδίνη. The word has long referred to small herring-like fish and is related in origin to names associated with Sardinia and the Mediterranean. The verb meaning to pack tightly developed later from the image of sardines being crowded together in a tin.
Related word forms
How sardine is actually used
As a fish, the word is standard in British and American English. The verb is chiefly informal and more common in British English; it usually implies cramped or uncomfortable packing.
Easily confused with sardine
A sardine is a small herring-like fish, while a sardinella is a distinct, generally smaller and more streamlined member of the same broader family of fishes.