Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

soft ray

noun
Save Word

Definition of soft ray

: a fish's fin ray made up of numerous short slightly movable joints giving it some flexibility and usually dividing into two or more slightly diverging branches —opposed to spiny ray

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Learn More about soft ray

Statistics for soft ray

Cite this Entry

“Soft ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soft%20ray. Accessed 14 Jun. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

deride

Listen to the pronunciation of deride

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Name that Thing: Dog Breeds

  • any of a breed of small compact heavy-boned dogs developed in france and having erect ears
  • Name that dog!
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Typeshift

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games