cod: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral; the fish sense is standard, the 'fake' sense is informal.
Quick answer
What does “cod” mean?
A large edible marine fish (Gadus morhua) of the North Atlantic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large edible marine fish (Gadus morhua) of the North Atlantic.
A term for something fake or fraudulent. Also refers to a husk or pod containing seeds. Can be used as a slang term for 'nonsense' or 'rubbish'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The slang adjective meaning 'fake, fraudulent, parodic' (e.g., 'a cod accent') is almost exclusively British. The noun meaning for the fish is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
In British slang, 'cod' implies something deliberately artificial, often in a humorous or mocking way (e.g., 'a cod horror film'). The fish has connotations of traditional industry and food.
Frequency
As a fish, 'cod' is common in both. As slang ('fake'), it's moderate frequency in UK informal contexts, very rare in US.
Grammar
How to Use “cod” in a Sentence
V + cod: catch, fry, eat, filletADJ + cod: fresh, salt, smoked, frozenVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cod” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He tried to cod me into believing his ridiculous story. (archaic)
American English
- (Rarely used as a verb in modern AmE.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- He put on a cod Irish accent for the comedy sketch.
- It was a cod documentary, full of made-up facts.
American English
- (This adjectival use is generally not understood.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the fishing and food retail industries: 'The price of cod has fluctuated.'
Academic
In marine biology or environmental studies: 'The cod population collapsed due to overfishing.'
Everyday
Discussing food or meals: 'We're having cod for dinner tonight.'
Technical
In culinary arts: 'The cod should be poached gently to retain moisture.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cod”
- Using 'cods' as a plural for multiple species (usually uncountable or 'cod fish').
- Using the slang adjective 'cod' in formal American English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a food substance, it's usually uncountable ('some cod', 'a piece of cod'). When referring to individual fish, it's countable ('they caught three cod').
It's a British slang term meaning 'nonsense' or 'rubbish'. It is unrelated to the fish and its origin is uncertain.
No, this meaning is not part of standard American English and would likely cause confusion. Use 'fake', 'mock', or 'phony' instead.
They are different, though related, species of white fish. Cod is generally larger, with flakier flesh, while haddock has a slightly finer texture and is often considered to have a sweeter taste.
A large edible marine fish (Gadus morhua) of the North Atlantic.
Cod is usually neutral; the fish sense is standard, the 'fake' sense is informal. in register.
Cod: in British English it is pronounced /kɒd/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɑːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'codswallop' (British slang for nonsense)”
- “to cod someone (archaic, to hoax or fool)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of COD as 'Catch Of the Day' – a common phrase for fresh fish in restaurants.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BASELINE/STAPLE (as in 'cod is a staple food'); something FAKE/ARTIFICIAL (the slang sense).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'cod' commonly used as an adjective meaning 'fake'?