piranha

pi·ra·nha

noun \pə-ˈrä-nə; -ˈrän-yə, -ˈran-\

Definition of PIRANHA

: any of various usually small South American characin fishes (genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus) that have very sharp teeth, often appear in schools, and include some that may attack and inflict dangerous wounds upon humans and large animals —called also caribe

Origin of PIRANHA

Portuguese, from Tupi pirã́ja, pirã́nʸa, from pirá fish + ã́ja, ã́nʸa tooth

First Known Use: 1861

Other Fishes Terms

char, chum, ichthyology, smelt, tetra, turbot

Rhymes with PIRANHA

Bechuana, Botswana, Fergana, gymkhana, iguana, jacana, lantana, liana, Madonna, mañana, nagana, nirvana, Purana, ruana, Tijuana, Toscana, zenana