: a marine bony fish (Regalecus glesne) of subtropical waters with a narrow soft body from 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) long, a red dorsal fin running the entire length of the body, and red-tipped anterior rays rising above the head
Examples of oarfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Deep-sea surprise:Taiwanese divers encounter rare giant oarfish Why Key West?
—
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 22 July 2023
The oarfish held by the CIMI staff who pulled it out of the water.
—James Carlton, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2013
The tales of sea serpents that terrified seafarers in days of yore may have been inspired by the mysterious oarfish.
—Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
The giant oarfish, on the other hand, can be more difficult to monitor.
—Claire Bugos, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2021
Pepperell writes that there have been reports of oarfish that measure up to 55 feet long, but these unsubstantiated accounts are most likely just fish tales.
—Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
Earlier this year, beachgoers spotted a live 12-foot oarfish in New Zealand, but the fish died shortly after.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 July 2022
Live oarfish sightings are more rare, reports Steven Hill for Field and Stream.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 July 2022
Dead adult oarfish periodically wash up on beaches.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 July 2022
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Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 22 July 2023
The oarfish held by the CIMI staff who pulled it out of the water.
—James Carlton, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2013
The tales of sea serpents that terrified seafarers in days of yore may have been inspired by the mysterious oarfish.
—Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
The giant oarfish, on the other hand, can be more difficult to monitor.
—Claire Bugos, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2021
Pepperell writes that there have been reports of oarfish that measure up to 55 feet long, but these unsubstantiated accounts are most likely just fish tales.
—Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
Earlier this year, beachgoers spotted a live 12-foot oarfish in New Zealand, but the fish died shortly after.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 July 2022
Live oarfish sightings are more rare, reports Steven Hill for Field and Stream.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 July 2022
Dead adult oarfish periodically wash up on beaches.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 July 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oarfish.' 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
1860, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near oarfish
Cite this Entry
“Oarfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oarfish. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oarfish
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