fishbowl

noun

fish·​bowl ˈfish-ˌbōl How to pronounce fishbowl (audio)
1
: a bowl for the keeping of live fish
2
: a place or condition that affords no privacy

Examples of fishbowl in a Sentence

Being a politician these days means living in a fishbowl—every part of your life is open to public view.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Of course, the fishbowl also has a big upside. Elizabeth Hartfield, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026 All the wraparound glass makes the R33 feel like a fishbowl, albeit one trimmed in buttery leather and brushed aluminum. Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026 The certainty that Iger wouldn’t be staying past 2026 put top Disney executives in a fishbowl — none more so than Walden. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026 Don’t worry, though, the deals on Triple Dipper platters and fishbowl-sized margaritas remain the same. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fishbowl

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fishbowl was in 1796

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Cite this Entry

“Fishbowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fishbowl. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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