Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

characin

noun
char·​a·​cin | \ ˈker-ə-sən How to pronounce characin (audio) , ˈka-rə-\

Definition of characin

: any of a family (Characidae) of usually small brightly colored tropical freshwater fishes that includes many aquarium fishes

Other Words from characin

characin adjective

First Known Use of characin

1882, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for characin

ultimately from Greek charak-, charax pointed stake, a fish

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about characin

Statistics for characin

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for characin

The first known use of characin was in 1882

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on characin

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with characin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about characin

Comments on characin

What made you want to look up characin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

disparage

Listen to the pronounciation of disparage

to speak slightingly about or to degrade

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

  • stylized drawing of woman pole vaulting across gap to get trophy
  • Which is a synonym of fuliginous?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games