cuttlefish

noun

cut·​tle·​fish ˈkə-tᵊl-ˌfish 

: any of various marine cephalopod mollusks (order Sepiida, especially genus Sepia) having eight short arms and two usually longer tentacles and differing from the related squid in having a calcified internal shell

Illustration of cuttlefish

Examples of cuttlefish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Not surprisingly, seafood is central to the local cuisine, with such dishes as sole sablaise, a local fish; cuttlefish stew; and mouclade, a mussel dish, among the specialties. — Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Cephalopods are a class of marine animals that includes octopuses, squids and cuttlefish, and are known for their tentacles and advanced nervous systems — and for lacking rigid skeletons. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2026

The cuttlefish bone, meanwhile, symbolized the bird that had literally flown the coop. — Howard Halle, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026

The captain, too, seemed content, and at one point donned a mask and snorkel of his own, eased into the water, and speared a five-pound cuttlefish for his supper. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cotul + English fish

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cuttlefish

• jellyfish
• sablefish
• bluefish
• catfish
• codfish
• crawfish
• dogfish
• finfish
• flatfish
• goldfish
• groundfish
• kingfish

Kids Definition

cuttlefish

noun

cut·​tle·​fish -ˌfish 

: a marine mollusk having eight short arms and two longer tentacles and differing from the related squid in having an internal shell composed of compounds of calcium