Is It Correct to Say “Shrimps”?

When you first hear someone say “shrimps”, you might think it’s wrong. After all, we’re often told that some words don’t change in their plural form—like fish or sheep. So is it right, or should you always stick with “shrimp” when talking about more than one?

In this article you’ll learn:

• What grammar experts say about the plural of shrimp.
• When shrimp remains unchanged and when shrimps is acceptable.
• How American vs British English differ on this point.
• Real-world examples, tables, usage tips, idioms, and more.
  By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use shrimp or shrimps—no guesswork.

The Quick Answer: Can You Say “Shrimps”?

Yes — the plural of shrimp can be either shrimp or shrimps. However, one form is far more common in most contexts. According to dictionaries like Merriam‑Webster, the plural is given as “shrimp or shrimps.” (Merriam-Webster) Grammar-guides note that shrimp is the standard plural in American English, while shrimps appears when you talk about multiple species of shrimp or in British English contexts. (homework.study.com)

Here’s a quick rule of thumb:

• Use “shrimp” when you mean many of the same kind (especially when talking about food).
• Use “shrimps” when you mean different kinds or species, or when using British English style.

Understanding the Word “Shrimp”

The noun shrimp refers to “any of numerous mostly small and marine decapod crustaceans … having a slender elongated body.” (Merriam-Webster) In simpler terms: those pinkish-grey little creatures with long tails and antennae that show up on menus and in the sea.

The word goes back to Middle English shrimpe and has ties to Old Norse and Germanic roots meaning “to shrink” or “to shrivel.” (Collins Dictionary) In fact one slang meaning of shrimp is “a very small or puny person.” (Merriam-Webster)

Why does pluralization confuse us? Because English has many irregular nouns where singular and plural are identical (fish, deer, means). The word shrimp behaves like those—but with a twist (more on that next).

Plural Rules in English: Why “Shrimps” Causes Confusion

English plural forms fall into patterns—many nouns simply add -s or -es. However, several nouns don’t change at all in plural:

• one deer → many deer
• one fish → many fish (though fishes is used in special contexts)

As grammar analysts note:

“The most common plural form of ‘shrimp’ happens to be the same as the singular.” (English Language & Usage Stack Exchange)

Here’s a comparison table to illustrate:

From that table and sources, you’ll see why shrimp isn’t “wrong,” but it’s less typical in many situations. (Collins Dictionary)

When to Use “Shrimp” (Without “-s”)

Most of the time, “shrimp” (singular form) also serves as the plural. This usage is especially prevalent when:

• You refer to shrimp as food or a general group.
• You’re using American English norms.
• You’re not emphasizing multiple species or types.

Examples

• “We had shrimp for dinner last night.”
• “Shrimp is rich in protein and low in fat.”
• “He threw five shrimp into the pan.”

Here you treat shrimp as an uncountable or collective noun, even though you refer to more than one. Gramar-guide sites call this its “standard plural.” (Grammarflex)

Usage tip: If you’re describing a dish or talking about quantity (without emphasising kinds), go with shrimp.

When to Use “Shrimps”

There are scenarios in which “shrimps” is fully acceptable and even preferable. Such contexts include:

• When you refer to different species or varieties of shrimp: “The aquarium exhibits several shrimps from around the world.”
• In British English usage where plural shrimp appears more naturally. (WordReference Forums)
• When you talk about them as individual creatures rather than food or group.

Examples:

• “Marine biologists discovered new shrimps in the deep sea.”
• “The buyer chose three different shrimps for his salt-water tank.”

Note: Some grammar-purists still flag shrimps as less standard in certain contexts, but major dictionaries list it. (Collins Dictionary

American vs. British English: “Shrimp” vs. “Shrimps”

English‐speaking regions don’t always agree.

In one forum discussion:

“In the United States, most people tend use shrimp as both the single and plural form … The only times we generally use shrimps … is to emphasise that one is talking about more than one species.” (WordReference Forums)

In sum: if you’re writing for a US audience, use “shrimp”. If you’re addressing a UK audience or British-style writing, “shrimps” won’t sound odd.

Examples from Dictionaries and Grammar Authorities

Merriam-Webster: Lists plural as “shrimp or shrimps.” (Merriam-Webster)
Collins COBUILD: Says “the plural can also be shrimps.” (Collins Dictionary)
GrammarFlex paragraph: “The standard plural form … is shrimp. ‘Shrimps’ is sometimes accepted but considered nonstandard by some sources.” (Grammarflex)

Key takeaway: All these sources agree shrimps is valid, yet they show a preference for shrimp in general use.

Common Mistakes with “Shrimp” and “Shrimps”

Let’s look at errors to avoid:

• ❌ I bought three shrimps for dinner. → This sounds odd in AmE if you mean food; better: three shrimp.
• ❌ Shrimps is delicious! → Verb mismatch: “is” with plural.
• ✅ Shrimp is delicious! → Correct, for food.
• ✅ We found several shrimps of different types. → Correct when emphasising types.

Remember: The verb that follows matters too. When using shrimp as plural you still say “are” (“The shrimp are large”), not “is.” GrammarFlex notes that. 

“Shrimp” as Food vs. Animal

This distinction helps you choose the right plural.

• As food: We usually treat “shrimp” as a mass noun. E.g., “We ordered shrimp for two.”
• As animals: When divergence in species matters or you count individuals, you might say “shrimps”.

Example:

• Food context: “She peeled the shrimp and served them with sauce.”
• Biodiversity context: “In that marine zone you’ll find many shrimps from genus A and genus B.”

Idioms and Phrases Using “Shrimp”

Let’s dive into some figurative uses:

• Little shrimp = a small or insignificant person. (“Don’t let the little shrimp boss you around.”)
• Throw-in idioms: shrimping (fishing for shrimp) appears in literature.
• In UK menus you’ll see: “potted shrimps” (small, brown-shelled shrimps served in butter).

These usages underscore how the term functions beyond literal crustaceans.

How to Remember When to Use “Shrimp” or “Shrimps”

Here’s a handy mnemonic and tips:

Remember this two-part rule:

1. If you’re talking about many of the same kind for food or general quantity, use shrimp.
2. If you’re talking about different species/types or using British style, shrimps works.

Quick tip boxes:

• 🦐 Food context (AmE) → “shrimp”
• 🌊 Multiple species or BrE context → “shrimps”
• ✅ If in doubt and your audience is American → go with “shrimp”

Real-World Examples from Literature and Media

• Scientific context: “Scientists measured how many shrimps migrated.” → Shows species context.
• Menu context (US): “Grilled shrimp served with garlic butter.”
• British retail: UK online retailer listing “frozen king shrimps” for sale.

These demonstrate how usage shifts based on context.

Read More:Is the Saying “Scotch Free” or “Scot Free”? Which Is Correct?

Bonus Clarification: Shrimp vs. Prawn

While you’re here, let’s touch briefly on the related pair: shrimp vs prawn.

A food-industry article states:

“In the United Kingdom the word prawn is more common on menus than shrimp, whereas the opposite is the case in North America.” For clarity: this doesn’t directly affect shrimp/shrimps, but it’s relevant if your writing covers seafood terms in a broader sense.

Quick Recap Table

Conclusion

In summary: when you ask “Is it correct to say ‘shrimps’?”, the answer is yes, but context matters. For most food-related and everyday American-English usage, stick with “shrimp” (plural unchanged). If you’re referring to different types, using British style, or writing about species, “shrimps” is perfectly fine.

Mastering this small technicality will sharpen your writing, help you sound more confident, and avoid those subtle grammar doubts. The next time you order seafood or write about marine life, you’ll know exactly which word to use.

Happy writing—and bon appétit (whether ordering shrimp or shrimps)!

Lily Grace