goldfish

noun

gold·​fish ˈgōl(d)-ˌfish 

: a small usually golden-orange Asian cyprinid fish (Carassius auratus) often kept as an aquarium and pond fish

Examples of goldfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Signs of Heat Stress in Pond Fish When pond temperatures creep into the mid-90s, goldfish and koi are at risk of hitting their thermal thresholds—the maximum temperature fish tolerate before their body starts to shut down. — Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

The occupational therapist’s bug-eyed goldfish and my attending’s regal twin tabbies, Sasha and Mischa, stare back at me from the wall. — Ashley Andreou, STAT, 22 June 2026

This fun houseplant has bright orange, yellow, or red blooms that resemble swimming goldfish. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 June 2026

Good choices include live sunfish, suckers, bullheads, carp, goldfish, and chubs. — Keith Sutton, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1752, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing goldfish

• goldfish bowl

Rhymes for goldfish

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

Kids Definition

goldfish

noun

gold·​fish -ˌfish 

: a small usually golden orange fish that is often kept in aquariums or ponds