fishbowl

noun

fish·​bowl ˈfish-ˌbōl 

1

: a bowl for the keeping of live fish

2

: a place or condition that affords no privacy

Example Sentences

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

If the eye is like a fishbowl, it's made of shards used for self-defense. —Ashley P. Taylor, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2012

There are over-the-top burgers, shakes and fishbowl-size drinks garnished with sugary, gummy candy. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 14 Sep. 2022

As the board assembles, Roy stands with his nose to the window of the fishbowl conference room peering in. —Bill Oram, oregonlive, 5 Oct. 2022

Grieving in a fishbowl': How a camp is helping kids cope with death after COVID. —Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2022

But the best amenity of all was a wall-spanning window that provided a fishbowl view of downtown and the ski trails of Aspen Mountain. —Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2022

The gilded fishbowl of his particular fame is a place many would drown. —Chloe Walker, Longreads, 1 July 2022

Afternoons, meanwhile, were for writing letters, and evenings were for journaling, recording in detail every nuance of my new life in a fishbowl. —Keri Blakinger, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2022

For scientists, Isle Royale has long been a fascinating fishbowl for research. —NBC News, 23 Apr. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1