red mullet

noun

: goatfish

especially : either of two red or reddish food fishes (Mullus surmuletus and M. barbatus) of the Mediterranean Sea and the warmer Atlantic coasts of Europe and northern Africa that are noted for their ability to change color

Examples of red mullet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The flowing red mullet gets the attention. — Mike Defabo, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Her ex-husband is a local fisherman who spends his days fishing by net, pulling lobster, sea bream and red mullet exclusively from the waters around the Îles d'Or, all of which ends up on your plate that evening at the restaurant, equally beloved by locals and visitors. — Monica Mendal, Vogue, 25 May 2026

Some of the country’s most traditional dishes, from croquettes to red mullet fish to eggplant and squid, are fried in extra virgin olive oil. — Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026

Santorini, Greece The island’s Grace Hotel, Auberge Collection, helps guests connect with the famous blue waters of the caldera with net-fishing lessons that often haul in barbouni (red mullet) and skaros (parrot fish). — Kinsey Gidick, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for red mullet

• rivulet
• gullet

Kids Definition

red mullet

noun

: either of two red or reddish goatfishes of warm seas that are used as food