filefish

noun

file·​fish ˈfī(-ə)l-ˌfish How to pronounce filefish (audio)
: any of various small-mouthed bony fishes (family Monacanthidae, especially genera Aluterus, Cantherhines, and Monacanthus) with rough granular leathery skin

Examples of filefish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The tiny white dot, the object of the filefish’s attention, fills this careful composition with purpose. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 There are even some fish who can change color to blend in, including the rock goby and filefish. 2. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2023 Hatchling Harbor will be home to various animals, including the scrawled filefish, lobsters, crabs, conchs and urchins. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 21 Feb. 2023 Researchers placed sections of pipe in the tank: one contained a filefish and the other a piece of coral. Bethany Hubbard, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2014 The Hunger Games To answer this question, researchers placed sixteen filefish into four tanks. Bethany Hubbard, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2014

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'filefish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of filefish was in 1681

Dictionary Entries Near filefish

Cite this Entry

“Filefish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filefish. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

filefish

noun
file·​fish ˈfī(ə)l-ˌfish How to pronounce filefish (audio)
: any of various fishes with rough leathery skin

More from Merriam-Webster on filefish

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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