sculpin

noun

scul·​pin ˈskəl-pən 

plural sculpins also sculpin

1

: any of a superfamily (Cottoidea) of spiny large-headed usually bottom-dwelling often scaleless bony fishes with large fanlike pectoral fins

2

: a scorpion fish (Scorpaena guttata) of the southern California coast caught for food and sport

Illustration of sculpin

• sculpin 1

Examples of sculpin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bear Lake is also home to four endemic fish species: the Bear Lake sculpin, Bear Lake whitefish, the Bonneville whitefish, and the Bonneville cisco. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025

As the boat crescendoed over waves, seagulls screamed in chase, and the captain made radar promises over the loudspeaker: bass, bonito and sculpin — or at the very least, mackerel and pelicans. —Jacqueline Carr, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025

The flathead sculpin, commonly known as the blobfish, gained widespread popularity after it was named the world's ugliest animal during the 2013 British Science Festival. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025

Several green and hawksbill turtles are darting in and out of a vibrant coral cliff with seemingly millions of species, from sculpins to sun coral and everything in between. —Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sculpin

noun

scul·​pin ˈskəl-pən 

plural sculpins also sculpin

1

: any of numerous spiny large-headed usually scaleless fishes with fanlike fins

2

: a fish of the southern California coast that has poisonous spines on the fin on the back and is caught for food and sport