Illustration of batfish
batfish
noun
bat·fish
ˈbat-ˌfish 
: any of several fishes with winglike processes
especially
: any of a family (Ogcocephalidae of the order Lophiiformes) of flattened pediculate bony fishes
Examples of batfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Although the red-lipped batfish appears to have legs, its limb-like appendages are actually fins, which the creature uses to stand on and to check out its surroundings.
—
Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022
This bizarre-looking fish is also known as the Galapagos batfish and can be found at the bottom of the ocean.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022
Red-lipped batfish or Venezuelan poodle moth, anyone?
—Bryn Nelson /, NBC News, 14 June 2018
The exhibit includes more than 20 different species, including the panther chameleon, naked mole rat, walking batfish, giant Pacific octopus and more.
—Brittany Nader, cleveland.com, 15 May 2018
Finds from the past several years include, for instance, a North African spider that cartwheels its way out of danger and a pancake batfish from Louisiana that hops on its fins.
—Richard Conniff, Smithsonian, 29 Mar. 2017
Andrew Delano Among the 650 entries from 18 different countries and 15 states were shots of some of the planet’s most awesome inhabitants, from baby flying fish flapping in the inky black to a school of eerie batfish.
—Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 26 May 2017
Among the 650 entries from 18 different countries and 15 states were shots of some of the planet’s most awesome inhabitants, from baby flying fish flapping in the inky black to a school of eerie batfish.
—Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 26 May 2017
Andrew Delano
Among the 650 entries from 18 different countries and 15 states were shots of some of the planet’s most awesome inhabitants, from baby flying fish flapping in the inky black to a school of eerie batfish.
—Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 26 May 2017
Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022
This bizarre-looking fish is also known as the Galapagos batfish and can be found at the bottom of the ocean.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022
Red-lipped batfish or Venezuelan poodle moth, anyone?
—Bryn Nelson /, NBC News, 14 June 2018
The exhibit includes more than 20 different species, including the panther chameleon, naked mole rat, walking batfish, giant Pacific octopus and more.
—Brittany Nader, cleveland.com, 15 May 2018
Finds from the past several years include, for instance, a North African spider that cartwheels its way out of danger and a pancake batfish from Louisiana that hops on its fins.
—Richard Conniff, Smithsonian, 29 Mar. 2017
Andrew Delano Among the 650 entries from 18 different countries and 15 states were shots of some of the planet’s most awesome inhabitants, from baby flying fish flapping in the inky black to a school of eerie batfish.
—Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 26 May 2017
Among the 650 entries from 18 different countries and 15 states were shots of some of the planet’s most awesome inhabitants, from baby flying fish flapping in the inky black to a school of eerie batfish.
—Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 26 May 2017
Andrew Delano
Among the 650 entries from 18 different countries and 15 states were shots of some of the planet’s most awesome inhabitants, from baby flying fish flapping in the inky black to a school of eerie batfish.
—Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, 26 May 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'batfish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1808, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near batfish
Cite this Entry
“Batfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batfish. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about batfish
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