Definition of fish
fish
orfishes
1a : an aquatic animal —usually used in combination <starfish> <cuttlefish>b : any of numerous cold-blooded strictly aquatic craniate vertebrates that include the bony fishes and usually the cartilaginous and jawless fishes and that have typically an elongated somewhat spindle-shaped body terminating in a broad caudal (see caudal 2) fin, limbs in the form of fins when present at all, and a 2-chambered heart by which blood is sent through thoracic gills to be oxygenated <freshwater fish> <tropical fish>
2 : the flesh of fish used as food <We're having fish for dinner.>
3a : a person who is caught or is wanted (as in a criminal investigation)b : fellow, person <an odd fish>c : sucker 5a <felt sorry for the poor fish>
4 : something that resembles a fish: such asa Fish or Fishes plural : pisces 1; also : pisces 2ab : torpedo 2b <The submarine's fish hit the freighter.>
fish out of water
: a person who is in an unnatural or uncomfortable sphere or situation <The country boy felt like a fish out of water in the big city.>
fish to fry
: concerns or interests to pursue —usually used with other <can't deal with that problem now; we've got other fish to fry right now>
neither fish nor fowl
: one that does not belong to a particular class or category <The movie is neither fish nor fowl—it's not really a comedy, but it's too light-hearted to be called a drama.>
Examples of fish in a sentence
We're having fish for dinner.
<he's rather an odd fish>
Illustration of fish
Origin and Etymology of fish
Middle English, from Old English fisc; akin to Old High German fisc fish, Latin piscis
First Known Use: before 12th century
fish
Definition of fish
intransitive verb
1 : to attempt to catch fish
2 : to seek something by roundabout means <fishing for a compliment>
3a : to search for something underwater <fish for pearls>b : to engage in a search by groping or feeling <fishing around in her purse for her keys>
transitive verb
1a : to try to catch fish inb : to fish with : use (as a boat, net, or bait) in fishing
2a : to go fishing for <fish salmon>b : to pull or draw as if fishing <fished the ball from under the car> <fish wires through a conduit>
fish or cut bait
: to make a choice between alternatives
Examples of fish in a sentence
We spent the afternoon fishing for trout.
They fished the stream all morning.
She was fishing around in her purse for her keys.
Origin and Etymology of fish
see 1fish
First Known Use: before 12th century
FISH Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of fish for English Language Learners
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: a cold-blooded animal that lives in water, breathes with gills, and usually has fins and scales
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: the meat of a fish eaten as food
fish
Definition of fish for English Language Learners
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: to catch or try to catch fish
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: to catch or try to catch fish in (a river, stream, etc.)
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: to search for something by feeling : to use your hand to try to find something
FISH Defined for Kids
Definition of fish for Students
fish
orfishes
1 : any of a large group of vertebrate animals that live in water, breathe with gills, and usually have fins and scales
2 : an animal that lives in water —usually used in combination <starfish> <shellfish>
fishlike
\-ˌlīk\ adjectiveDefinition of fish for Students
fished
fishing
1 : to catch or try to catch fish
2 : to search for something by or as if by feeling <I fished in my purse for change.>
Learn More about fish
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fish Spanish Central: Translation of fish Nglish: Translation of fish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fish for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fish
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