sprat
noun
ˈsprat 
plural sprats also sprat
1
a
: a small European marine fish (Sprattus sprattus) of the herring family
called also brisling
b
: any of various small or young fish (such as an anchovy) related to or resembling the herrings
2
: a young, small, or insignificant person
Synonyms
- bairn [chiefly Scottish]
- bambino
- bud
- chap [Southern & Midland]
- chick
- child
- cub
- juvenile
- kid
- kiddie
- kiddy
- kiddo
- moppet
- sprout
- squirt
- whelp
- youngling
- youngster
- youth
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
planning to spend their vacation at a couples-only resort where they would not be bothered by snotty-nosed sprats
Recent Examples on the Web Baltic Sea sprat smoked with heather and chamomile, say — to stretch your taste beyond its comfort zone and perhaps prime your next order. 
New York Times, 26 Aug. 2021 If left to swim downstream by themselves, some of the sprats would get lost and overheated in the stagnant reservoirs behind each dam; despite screens, others would be ground up in the turbines. Patrick Symmes, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019 In the Baltic Sea, juvenile herring and sprat – another small herring-like fish – have more food available to them in warm years than in cool years, and have also benefited from warming. Chris Free, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2019
New York Times, 26 Aug. 2021 If left to swim downstream by themselves, some of the sprats would get lost and overheated in the stagnant reservoirs behind each dam; despite screens, others would be ground up in the turbines. Patrick Symmes, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019 In the Baltic Sea, juvenile herring and sprat – another small herring-like fish – have more food available to them in warm years than in cool years, and have also benefited from warming. Chris Free, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2019 Word History
Etymology
alteration of Middle English sprot, from Old English sprott
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
sprats
noun
variants also sprat
as in kids
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood planning to spend their vacation at a couples-only resort where they would not be bothered by snotty-nosed sprats Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- kids
- children
- chicks
- youths
- juveniles
- bairns
- chaps
- youngsters
- teenagers
- sprouts
- cubs
- mischiefs
- moppets
- buds
- kiddies
- whelps
- teens
- toddlers
- squirts
- babies
- preschoolers
- adolescents
- younglings
- bambinos
- kiddos
- bambini
- urchins
- monkeys
- infants
- schoolboys
- schoolchildren
- minors
- tots
- schoolkids
- tykes
- rascals
- weanlings
- imps
- nippers
- nestlings
- tads
- neonates
- lads
- schoolgirls
- rapscallions
- teeners
- newborn
- striplings
- devils
- rug rats
- whippersnappers
- hellions
- tikes
- kindergarteners
- rogues
- teenyboppers
- preteens
- babes
- kindergartners
- cherubs
- newborns
- shavers
- bantlings
- preteen-agers
- subteens
- tweens
- hoydens
- tomboys
- cherubim
- bobby-soxers
- jackanapeses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- adults
- grown-ups
- senior citizens
- oldsters
- middle-agers
- ancients
- elders
- seniors
- golden-agers
- old-timers