Shrimp are small shellfish with long bodies, thin legs, and a curved shape. They live in oceans and freshwater, swimming backward by quickly flexing their tails. Most shrimp are only a few inches long, though some species grow much larger.

People around the world eat shrimp, which have a mild, slightly sweet flavor. They turn pink or orange when cooked, even though many are gray or translucent when raw. Shrimp can be grilled, fried, boiled, or added to dishes like pasta, stir-fries, and gumbo.

The word also means something or someone small. If your older brother calls you a shrimp, he's teasing you about your height. A fishing boat might look like a shrimp next to an aircraft carrier.

Interestingly, what Americans call shrimp, the British typically call prawns, though scientists make distinctions between the two based on body structure. When you're ordering food in London and see “prawns” on the menu, that's their word for very similar shellfish.