calamari

This term is used almost exclusively in culinary or commercial contexts to describe squid. While it refers to the animal, it is rarely used in a biological or scientific setting, where the English word "squid" is preferred. It carries a specific association with Mediterranean cuisine, particularly when referring to fried rings or tentacles.

Grammatically, the word is treated as an uncountable mass noun when referring to the food or the commodity. It does not typically take a plural form in standard English usage, as it describes the substance of the meat rather than individual animals.