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smallmouth

smallmouth

8 7.7
A freshwater bass fish with a small mouth found in North American lakes and rivers
  • noun
  • /ˈsmɔːlmaʊθ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bajo de boca pequeña
  • Many anglers blame the birds for declining smallmouth bass numbers.
  • smallmouth bass

Examples

  • And biologists in Illinois said the hot weather has killed tens of thousands of large- and smallmouth bass and channel catfish and is threatening the population of the greater redhorse fish, a state-endangered species (AP).

    Blog text (11)
  • "The reservoir's smallmouth bass are often overshadowed by its tiger muskie and panfish," Penne says.

    Blog text (6)
  • Big smallmouth can be found in waters that are fairly small this time of year.

    Blog text (3)
  • I bet the smallies (smallmouth bass) are great there.

    Blog text (13)
  • This summer, many a carp, trout, and smallmouth have found their way into the rubber ghost net.

    Blog text (9)
  • "Got a few suckers and a keeper smallmouth," he says, moving away with a swipe of the paddle.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Millions of fish—sturgeon, large- and smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and other species—are dying in the Midwest as water temperatures skyrocket to as high as 100 degrees.

    Blog text (23)
  • The smallmouth bass is a popular species for anglers in North America's rivers and lakes.

  • Many fishermen travel annually to catch the elusive smallmouth in crystal-clear waters.

  • In summer, the smallmouth can be seen jumping out of the water while chasing after minnows.

Synonyms

smallmouth bass
vssmallmouth
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A freshwater fish from North America with a small mouth popular with people who fish

describes the species itself and its natural distribution rather than its sport use
Micropterus dolomieu
vssmallmouth
  • Specialized
9.1

A freshwater fish called smallmouth bass that lives in North American lakes and rivers

is the everyday common name rather than the scientific label
smallmouth black bass
vssmallmouth
  • Specialized
7.7

A freshwater fish with a small mouth often caught by people who fish

emphasizes species identity and natural occurrence, not sport value
smallmouthed bass
vssmallmouth
  • Specialized
7.8

A North American freshwater fish with a small mouth often caught for sport

refers to the species more neutrally without stressing angling demand
smallmouthed black bass
vssmallmouth
  • Specialized
8.4

A North American freshwater fish that has a small mouth below the eye

mentions the species without naming that specific jaw feature

Compounds

smallmouth bass
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A freshwater fish from North America with a small mouth popular with people who fish

smallmouth black bass
  • Specialized
7.7

A freshwater fish with a small mouth often caught by people who fish

Surface Forms

smallmouth singular
smallmouths plural

Morphology

smallmouth = small + mouth (transparent) = small + mouth

The compound directly names a fish with a relatively small mouth; learners who know 'small' and 'mouth' can infer this meaning.

Etymology

The word smallmouth is simply the two words small ('little') and mouth ('opening'). It names a bass with a smaller mouth than the largemouth, so the name itself helps you remember which fish it is.