Definition

A type of fish, often a large herring or mackerel, that is lightly smoked and salted.

Example

We enjoyed a delicious bloater with our breakfast.

Conversation

Have you ever tried a bloater?

No, I haven’t! What’s special about it?

It's a type of herring that’s lightly smoked and salted.

Sounds delicious! I’d love to try it sometime.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'bloater' originates from the Old English 'blōtan', meaning to swell or to bloat. It refers specifically to a type of fish that is preserved by salting and has a swollen appearance due to the preservation process.

Memory Tip

Think of the Old English word for swelling ('blōtan') to remember that a 'bloater' is a fish that appears swollen due to the salting process.

Visually Confused Words