goby

1 of 2

noun

go·​by ˈgō-bē 

plural gobies also goby

: any of numerous spiny-finned fishes (family Gobiidae) that usually have the pelvic fins united to form a ventral sucking disk

Illustration of goby

go by

2 of 2

verb

went by; gone by; going by; goes by

intransitive verb

: pass sense 3b

as time goes by

Examples of goby in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Researchers said the single specimen may represent a new cryptic species of Ward’s sleeper goby. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025

Due to their abundance and small sizes, these gobies are an important snack for many larger species of reef fishes. —Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

Verb

The new addition joins big brother Merrick, who goes by his middle name, Avery, and has a 3rd birthday right around the corner. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 25 Sep. 2025

In a post shared on Reddit’s popular r/foundpaper community, mom Katelyn, who goes by u/your_worshipness, shared an image of the book—found in a Las Vegas Goodwill store—lying open, with a handwritten note inside. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin gobius gudgeon, from Greek kōbios

First Known Use

Noun

1769, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

goby

noun

go·​by ˈgō-bē 

plural gobies also goby

: any of numerous spiny-finned fishes that often have the pelvic fins united to form a sucking disk