Synonyms for

Eel

Verb / i:l / Another word for eel — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a long, thin, snake-like fish that lives in the sea or in freshwater

Synonyms & similar words

lamprey hagfish ribbonfish garfish viperfish dragonfish needlefish pipefish anguilla catfish dogfish mackerel shark

Synonyms by register

Formal

Anguilliformes fish

Informal

slippery fish water snake

Literary

serpent of the deep water-wyrm

Antonyms

land animal terrestrial creature mammal bird insect

Common collocations

  • electric eel
  • moray eel
  • conger eel
  • glass eel
  • swimming eel
  • slimy eel
  • eelskin boots

Word family

noun eel

Usage note

The word 'eel' primarily refers to a type of fish. While it can be used metaphorically for someone slippery or untrustworthy, this usage is less common and can be considered informal.

Example sentences

  1. The eel was hiding under a rock.
  2. My dad caught an eel while fishing.
  3. Eels can be found in both saltwater and freshwater.
  4. The eel slithered through the seaweed.
  5. I think eels are cool because they look like snakes.

Quotes

  • 'I'm an eel in the sense that I have a long, thin body.' - Frank Ocean
  • 'The eel is a slippery fish, and I'm slippery, too.' - Marlon Brando
  • 'An eel of science. Always slippery. Always elusive. Always slithering away.' - Neil Gaiman

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words