barracuda

noun

bar·​ra·​cu·​da ˌber-ə-ˈkü-də 

ˌba-rə-

plural barracuda or barracudas

1

: any of a genus (Sphyraena of the family Sphyraenidae) of elongate predaceous often large bony fishes of warm seas that includes food and sport fishes as well as some forms frequently causing ciguatera poisoning

2

: one that uses aggressive, selfish, and sometimes unethical methods to obtain a goal especially in business

Synonyms

• tiger

Examples of barracuda in a Sentence

The company's lawyers are a bunch of barracudas.

the governor-elect is too nice and easygoing, so he'll need a barracuda as his chief of staff

Recent Examples on the Web

Divers in areas near barracudas are advised to avoid wearing shiny jewelry which can resemble fish scales. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

Other potential marine threats in the area include bull sharks, barracudas, Southern stingrays, and Moray eels—though such encounters are rare in the shallows. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025

Authorities said a woman was bitten by a marine animal, possibly a barracuda, in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. —Jillian Frankel, People.com, 28 May 2025

Black drum, barracuda and red snapper are among the species reeled in during the competition. —D. Hunter Reardon, USA Today, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

barracuda

noun

bar·​ra·​cu·​da ˌbar-ə-ˈküd-ə 

plural barracuda or barracudas

: any of several large fierce marine fishes of warm seas that have strong jaws and sharp teeth and that include some used for food