sunfish

1 of 2

noun

sun·​fish ˈsən-ˌfish 

1

: ocean sunfish

2

: any of numerous North American freshwater bony fishes (family Centrarchidae, especially genus Lepomis) usually with a deep compressed body and metallic luster

Sunfish

2 of 2

trademark

—used for a small light sailboat that has one sail

Examples of sunfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

However, amazingly this is the third record set in the last month for this beautiful sunfish. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Examples include the genetically distinct Black River walleye and numerous minnows, sunfishes and darter species that are unique to specific streams. — David Duvernell, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026

Highlights include astonishing wildlife moments like orcas carrying a humpback whale calf together after separating it from its mother and the unexpected encounter between a freediver and a giant oceanic sunfish. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

The Park Service also reported a boom in non-native fish, including bluegills and sunfish. — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sunfish

• green sunfish
• ocean sunfish

Rhymes for sunfish

• bluefish
• catfish
• codfish
• crawfish
• dogfish
• finfish
• flatfish
• goldfish
• groundfish
• kingfish
• offish
• redfish

Kids Definition

sunfish

noun

sun·​fish ˈsən-ˌfish 

1

: a very large sea fish that is flattened from side to side and has long fins and a small mouth

2

: any of a family of North American freshwater fishes that are related to the perches, are often brightly colored, and usually have a body that is flattened from side to side