yellowtail

noun

yel·​low·​tail ˈye-lō-ˌtāl How to pronounce yellowtail (audio)
ˈye-lə-
plural yellowtail or yellowtails
: any of various fishes having a yellow or yellowish tail: such as
a
: any of several carangid fishes (genus Seriola)
especially : a food and sport fish (S. lalandi) of the Pacific and Indian oceans having a yellow stripe along each side of the body
b
: silver perch sense a
c
: a snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) that is a sport and food fish found from Massachusetts to Brazil and is olive to bluish above with yellow spots and a broad yellow stripe along each side of the body

called also yellowtail snapper

Examples of yellowtail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Highlights from the open kitchen include yellowtail crudo with kimchi foam, mugwort noodles in creamy black sesame sauce and an elegant take on Juicy Fruit gum for dessert. — Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Try the edamame dumplings, Keys-y bouillabaisse with yellowtail snapper, daily catch, or whole seasonal fish served with tropical slaw, citrus, and jasmine rice to keep on theme. — Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 13 June 2026 Born in Baja and perfected on both sides of the border, the best versions here feature fresh catches like yellowtail or rockfish, lightly battered and fried, tucked into warm corn tortillas with cabbage, crema, and a squeeze of lime. — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026 In addition to the hamachi, try the beef tartare, with egg yolk, ruby streaks mustard greens, confit yellowtail and chile; the ‘nduja agnolotti with fennel, garden herbs and pecorino; or the half-chicken Milanese with spring green Caesar and green garlic aioli. — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for yellowtail

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1622, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yellowtail was circa 1622

Phrases Containing yellowtail

Rhymes for yellowtail

See All Rhymes for yellowtail

Browse Nearby Words

yellow tacamahac
yellowtail
yellowtail flounder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Yellowtail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yellowtail. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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