surf fish
noun
Definition of surf fish
1 : any of numerous small or medium-sized fishes that constitute the family Embiotocidae, live chiefly in shallow water along the Pacific coast of North America, and resemble perches in form but differ from them in their anatomy and in being viviparous
2 : any of several croakers (family Sciaenidae) of the Pacific coast of North America
3 : surf smelt
From the M-W Editors
There's more!
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!
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up surf fish? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!