dolphinfish

noun

dol·​phin·​fish ˈdäl-fən-ˌfish How to pronounce dolphinfish (audio)
ˈdȯl-
: either of two colorful, iridescent, saltwater fish (Coryphaena equiselis and C. hippurus of the family Coryphaenidae) that are widely distributed in tropical and temperate seas and have a long laterally compressed body and a deeply forked tail fin

Note: The common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is valued as a food fish and is often called mahi-mahi.

Examples of dolphinfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Here's what is going to protect us instead Download the USA TODAY mobile app Adult tuna, billfish and dolphinfish are the target catch for the FADS, but juvenile fish, sharks and other species also can get caught up in the catch. Kimberly Miller, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2020 Wright’s catch beat the record held by Kim Lawson, who reeled in a 67.8-pound common dolphinfish in July 1985. San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2019 Frashure’s catch has dethroned Jeff Wright’s three-week-old state Atlantic Division record for common dolphinfish, which was 72.8 pounds. Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, 20 Aug. 2019 The big fish reeled in Friday was the common dolphinfish, the department said, but this was not a common member of the species, weighing in at 74.5 pounds. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dolphinfish.' 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

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dolphinfish was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near dolphinfish

Cite this Entry

“Dolphinfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dolphinfish. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

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