shoal

US /ʃoʊl/
UK /ʃoʊl/
"shoal" picture
1.

a large number of fish swimming together as a group

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A large shoal of fish swam past the boat.
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We saw a beautiful shoal of tropical fish while snorkeling.
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schoolswarmflockherdpack
2.

an area of shallow water, especially one caused by a sandbank or sandbar

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The boat ran aground on a hidden shoal.
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Navigators must be careful to avoid the dangerous shoals near the coast.
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sandbanksandbarreefflatshallow
1.

to become shallow

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The river began to shoal as we approached the delta.
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The water shoaled rapidly near the shore, making it difficult for larger boats.
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shallowgroundstrandbeachrun aground
2.

to form a shoal (of fish)

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The young salmon began to shoal in the estuary.
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When threatened, the small fish will shoal together for protection.
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schoolgathercongregateassemblecollect