Hey there seafood lovers! I’ve noticed lots of people get confused about whether to say “shrimp” or “shrimps” when talking about more than one of these tasty crustaceans. Today, I’m gonna break it down for you in simple terms and share everything you need to know about using these words correctly
The Quick Answer
Both “shrimp” and “shrimps” are correct plural forms! Here’s the simple rule:
- Use “shrimp” for groups or uncountable amounts
- Use “shrimps” when you can count individual ones
- Both forms are acceptable in most situations
When to Use “Shrimp” vs “Shrimps”
Using “Shrimp” (Zero Plural)
I find that “shrimp” is more common in American English, especially when talking about:
- Large groups: “There’s a lot of shrimp in this pond”
- Food portions: “I ordered the fried shrimp”
- Species in general: “Pink shrimp are my favorite”
Using “Shrimps” (Regular Plural)
“Shrimps” works better when:
- Counting specific numbers: “I caught five shrimps today”
- Talking about different types: “There are many species of shrimps”
- Using British English (where “shrimps” is more common)
Fun Facts About Shrimp Words
Did ya know that shrimp-related words can get pretty interesting? Here’s some cool stuff I learned
Special Group Names
When talking about groups of shrimp you can say
- A colony of shrimp
- A troupe of shrimp
The Shrimping Verb
Yep, “shrimp” can be a verb too! Check these out:
- “He shrimps for a living”
- “They’re going shrimping tomorrow”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s where people often mess up:
- Using apostrophes wrong:
- Correct possessive singular: shrimp’s (The shrimp’s shell)
- Correct possessive plural: shrimps’ (The shrimps’ habitat)
- Mixing up prawns and shrimp:
- In the UK: They usually say “prawns”
- In the US: We typically say “shrimp”
Tips for Using Shrimp in Sentences
Let me show you some examples of how to use these words right:
Correct Examples:
- “I bought two pounds of shrimp at the market”
- “These three shrimps are still alive”
- “The shrimp’s color changes when it cooks”
- “The shrimps’ shells were bright pink”
Incorrect Examples:
- ❌ “I saw many shrimps swimming” (better: many shrimp)
- ❌ “The shrimps’s color” (should be: shrimp’s or shrimps’)
Special Cases and Context
Sometimes the choice between “shrimp” and “shrimps” depends on what you’re talking about:
In Scientific Writing
Scientists often use “shrimps” when discussing:
- Different species
- Individual specimens
- Research samples
In Cooking
Chefs usually stick with “shrimp” for:
- Menu items
- Recipes
- Cooking instructions
Cultural Differences
The way people use these words varies around the world:
| Region | Common Usage |
|---|---|
| USA | Mostly “shrimp” |
| UK | “prawns” or “shrimps” |
| Australia | Mostly “prawns” |
| Canada | Both forms accepted |
Wrapping It Up
So there ya have it! Whether you say “shrimp” or “shrimps”, you’re probably right – just remember the context and where you’re using it. The main thing is being consistent in your writing or speaking.
For most of us regular folks in the US, sticking with “shrimp” as the plural is usually the safest bet. But don’t sweat it too much – both forms are technically correct, and people will understand what you mean either way!
Remember: Language is always evolving, and even grammar experts sometimes disagree on these things. The most important thing is clear communication, so use whatever form makes the most sense in your situation.
Now, who’s hungry for some shrimp?
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article further?
Cite this Entry Style
“Shrimp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrimp. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Examples of shrimp in a Sentence
Middle English shrimpe; akin to Middle Low German schrempen to contract, wrinkle, Old Norse skorpna to shrivel up First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
1808, in the meaning defined above Time Traveler
What is the meaning of the word SHRIMP?
FAQ
Is it correct to say shrimps?
Shrimp and shrimps are both correct and acceptable plural forms, depending on the context in which they are used. When it comes to animal pluralizations in the English language, rules can be complex and vary across different species.
Is it two shrimp or two shrimps?
Shrimp is one of those words where, if you’re talking about the food, it’s singular form and plural form are the same. If used in the context where you are colloquially referring to short people, then “shrimps” would be the plural form.
Is there a plural form for shrimp?
What do they call a group of shrimp?
What is the plural of shrimp?
Here’s the word you’re looking for. The noun shrimp can be countable or uncountable. In more general, commonly used, contexts, the plural form will also be shrimp. However, in more specific contexts, the plural form can also be shrimps e.g. in reference to various types of shrimps or a collection of shrimps.
What is a group of shrimp called?
There is no definite term used universally to describe a group of shrimp, mostly due to the fact that shrimp are often solitary and only form into groups during the spawning season, so the plural shrimps does not often come into use for describing the wild. What Does Shrimp Mean in Slang?
Is shrimp a slang word?
There is also a slang use of the word shrimp, which is usually derogatory or disparaging and means a puny person. Yes, there is, in fact, a plural form of shrimp. The dictionary differs here depending on which version you look at, but there are usually two accepted versions of the plural of shrimp: shrimp and shrimps.
Is shrimp a countable noun?
Examples of uncountable nouns include ” water,” ” knowledge,” and ” sugar.” When it comes to ” shrimp,” it is considered a countable noun. Although it may appear in its singular form when referring to an individual crustacean, it can also be used in its plural form when referring to multiple shrimp.
Is shrimp a base noun?
We most often consider “shrimp” a base noun, which means that it does not change when it is plural. Most nouns in English follow the standard convention of adding an -s or -es at the noun’s end to make it plural. For example: While many nouns follow this convention, several essential exceptions can be helpful to understand.
What is the difference between shrimp and shrimp?
In everyday conversation or culinary contexts, “shrimp” prevails. The choice often hinges on formality, region, and specificity. In the United States, simplicity often wins. “Shrimp” serves as both singular and plural. In Britain, “shrimps” is still commonly used, especially when referring to quantities.