pistol shrimp

Questions

What does pistol shrimp mean?

A shrimp (Alpheidae) which has asymmetrical claws, the larger of which can be used to produce a loud snapping sound and shockwave that can stun or kill its prey.

Where does pistol shrimp come from?

The snapping claw is reminiscent of a pistol.

How to pronounce pistol shrimp

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “pistol shrimp”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “pistol shrimp”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “pistol shrimp” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.