What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crawfish
Example
We went crawfishing in the creek and caught a bunch. [crawfishing: verb]
Example
He tried to argue with me, but eventually had to crawfish when he realized he was wrong. [crawfish: verb]
crayfish
Example
The restaurant served a delicious dish of boiled crayfish. [crayfish: noun]
Example
We used crayfish as bait and caught some big catfish. [crayfish: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crayfish is more commonly used than crawfish in most regions outside of the southern United States. However, both words are understood and used interchangeably in many contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between crawfish and crayfish?
Neither crawfish nor crayfish is considered particularly formal or informal, and both can be used in a variety of settings and contexts.
