guppy

noun

gup·​py ˈgə-pē 

plural guppies

: a small bony fish (Poecilia reticulata of the family Poeciliidae) especially of Barbados, Trinidad, and Venezuela that is a live-bearer and is often kept as an aquarium fish

Illustration of guppy

• 1 female
• 2 male

Examples of guppy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the other side of the exam room door was a toddler propped in her mother’s arms, coughing between guppy breaths. — Joy Evers, STAT, 20 July 2026

In a classic experiment, guppies, following their neighbors, ended up schooling behind a robotic fish that guided them toward food. — R. Alexander Bentley, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026

Many variants of the body exist, the most flamboyant is the 202 MM, designed for the 1947 racing season and distinguished by two tail fins worthy of the fanciest guppy. — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026

The guppies regularly win, too. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

R. J. L. Guppy †1916 Trinidadian naturalist

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for guppy

• puppy
• yuppie

Kids Definition

guppy

noun

gup·​py ˈgəp-ē 

plural guppies

: a small tropical minnow often kept in aquariums