goby

1 of 2

noun

go·​by ˈgō-bē How to pronounce goby (audio)
plural gobies also goby
: any of numerous spiny-finned fishes (family Gobiidae) that usually have the pelvic fins united to form a ventral sucking disk

Illustration of goby

Illustration of goby

go by

2 of 2

verb

went by; gone by; going by; goes by

intransitive verb

: pass sense 3b
as time goes by

Examples of goby in a Sentence

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.
Noun
Today, the Erie Canal remains vulnerable to invasive plants, such as water chestnut and hydrilla, and invasive animals such as round goby. Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025 Researchers said the single specimen may represent a new cryptic species of Ward’s sleeper goby. Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
Actis also went by the name Kathryn Arlene Skiles, police said. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025 Weeks went by with no sign of Jan or Berchtold. Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for goby

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin gobius gudgeon, from Greek kōbios

First Known Use

Noun

1769, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goby was in 1508

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goby. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

goby

noun
go·​by ˈgō-bē How to pronounce goby (audio)
plural gobies also goby
: any of numerous spiny-finned fishes that often have the pelvic fins united to form a sucking disk

More from Merriam-Webster on goby

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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