What does anchovy mean?
Word: Anchovy
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Anchovy means a small sea fish with a strong salty taste, often sold in tins or dried.
How do you spell anchovy?
Syllables: an - cho - vy
Tricky part: Many pupils leave an e at the end because the plural is anchovies. With just one fish, the word stops at the y.
Watch out for: anchovie, anchovey
Memory tip: Think of one baby and two babies. One anchovy works the same way, so the ie belongs only to the plural.
Anchovy in a sentence
Example 1: A whole anchovy can be eaten, bones and all.
Example 2: Dad laid one anchovy on each slice of pizza, and I picked mine off.
Example 3: The fish stall at Kochi sold dried anchovy by the cup.
Fun Fact
In Spain tiny anchovies are often served in vinegar as a small dish called boquerones, at home and in small restaurants.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
an_____ovy
a) tsh
b) tch
c) ch
d) sh
Show answer
c) ch. Two letters are enough here, the same pair as in chin.
Jumble Tumble
Choose the correct sequence of the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word:
vonyhac 1234567
a) 2375146
b) 1245673
c) 5127364
d) 6375214
Show answer
d) 6375214. Follow those positions and you spell the small salty fish.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with its meaning:
1. anchovy 2. prawn 3. seal a. a shellfish that turns pink when cooked b. a furry sea animal with flippers that breathes air c. a tiny silver swimmer, often salted and packed in oil
a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
b) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
c) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
d) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
Show answer
a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b. Only one of the three is a true fish; the prawn goes pink and the seal comes up for air.
Spell Spies
Choose the pair which has a spelling error:
a) wolf : wolves
b) shelf : shelves
c) anchovy : anchovies
d) tomato : tomatos
Show answer
d) tomato : tomatos. Tomato adds -es in the plural, just as potato does.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Why do anchovies swim close together in huge shoals?
a) to find warmer water quickly
b) to save space in the sea
c) to stay safer from bigger fish
d) to keep their scales clean
Show answer
c) to stay safer from bigger fish
2. An anchovy has most in common with which of these?
a) a turtle
b) a sardine
c) a lobster
d) a dolphin
Show answer
b) a sardine
