How Do You Spell EEL?

Pronunciation: [ˈiːl] (IPA)

The word "eel" is a four-letter noun that refers to a type of elongated fish. In terms of spelling, it is pronounced as /iːl/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet. The first letter, "e", sounds like the long vowel "ee". The second letter, "e", has a schwa sound, which is an unstressed and reduced vowel sound. Finally, the letter "l" is pronounced as a voiced alveolar lateral approximant, meaning that the sound is made by touching the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth and letting air flow over the sides of the tongue.

Meaning and Definition
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Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
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EEL Meaning and Definition

  1. An eel is a long, snake-like, and slimy fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes. It typically has a slender and elongated body without scales, featuring a tapered tail and a small, circular mouth full of sharp teeth. Eels are renowned for their ability to reside in both freshwater and saltwater environments, and are commonly found in rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans across the world.

    These creatures are characterized by their distinctive and flexible bodies, which enable them to navigate through narrow crevices and hide in holes or beneath rocks. With a unique serpentine movement, eels swim by undulating their bodies rather than using their fins, allowing them to glide smoothly through the water. While most eels have a drab, olive-green or brown coloration to blend in with their surroundings, some species exhibit vibrant hues or patterns.

    Eels are nocturnal creatures, predominantly seeking prey under the cover of darkness. They are carnivorous and possess a diverse diet that includes small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and occasionally even other eels. Due to their elusive nature, eels are often prized by fishermen and considered a delicacy in many cultures.

    Consequently, eels have become important commercially, serving as a culinary delicacy in various cuisines, particularly in Asian and European countries. Moreover, they have drawn significant attention from scientists due to their mysterious migratory behavior, whereby they embark on long journeys to spawn in remote oceanic locations. This complex life cycle involves traversing thousands of miles, with eels being able to endure various environmental conditions during their remarkable voyages.

  2. A well-known long slender-bodied fish, species of which occur both in fresh and salt water.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for EEL *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for EEL

Etymology of EEL

The word "eel" can be traced back to the Old English word "ǣl". This Old English term originated from the West Germanic language family, where it was related to the Old Frisian word "ēl", the Middle Dutch word "ēle", and the Middle Low German word "ēl". These languages and their respective terms are believed to have descended from a Proto-Germanic word, "ǣlaz". The etymology of this word can be traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*aǵh-", meaning "to be depressed, anxious", which is also associated with marshy or stagnant water.

Idioms with the word EEL

  • be as slippery as an eel The idiom "be as slippery as an eel" means to be difficult to catch or pin down, to be elusive or evasive in nature. It implies that someone or something is adept at avoiding or escaping from capture or detection, similar to the way an eel is known for its ability to wriggle out of a firm grip.
  • every eel hopes to become a whale The idiom "every eel hopes to become a whale" means that ambitious individuals always aspire to achieve greater heights or improve their current status. It signifies the desire for growth and advancement, reflecting the tendency for people to dream of reaching a position of greater influence, power, or success. Additionally, it can express the belief that even those in seemingly lesser positions have dreams and aspirations, regardless of their current circumstances.
  • hold an eel by the tail The idiom "hold an eel by the tail" means to be in a difficult or tricky situation that is challenging to control or handle, much like attempting to grip a slippery eel by its tail. It suggests grappling with a precarious circumstance or dealing with something that escapes one's grasp, making it challenging to manage or resolve.
  • skin an eel by the tail
  • *slippery as an eel

Similar spelling words for EEL

Plural form of EEL is EELS

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