silverfish

noun

sil·​ver·​fish ˈsil-vər-ˌfish 

1

: any of various silvery fishes (such as a tarpon or silverside)

2

: any of various small wingless insects (order Thysanura)

especially : one (Lepisma saccharinum) found in houses and sometimes injurious especially to sized papers or starched clothes

Examples of silverfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

They are sold as small balls, cakes, or flakes used to control clothes moths, silverfish, and other pests that feed on wool and other natural fibers. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026

Pests, particularly moths and silverfish, lay eggs and nibble on the natural fibers of cashmere. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Dec. 2025

Over time, book pages can stick together, and bugs like silverfish may consume paper and glue bindings. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2025

Elsewhere, bones were stored in plastic and paper bags and totes and boxes, often covered with black mold and silverfish, according to the book. —Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for silverfish

• cuttlefish
• jellyfish
• sablefish
• bluefish
• catfish
• codfish
• crawfish
• dogfish
• finfish
• flatfish
• goldfish
• groundfish

Kids Definition

silverfish

noun

sil·​ver·​fish ˈsil-vər-ˌfish 

: any of various small wingless insects

especially : one that is found in houses and feeds on paper products, clothing, and other starchy materials