Illustration of fish
- 1 mandible
- 2 nasal opening
- 3 eye
- 4 cheek
- 5 operculum
- 6 dorsal fins
- 7 lateral line
- 8 caudal fin
- 9 scales
- 10 anal fin
- 11 anus
- 12 pectoral fin
- 13 pelvic fin
- 14 maxilla
- 15 premaxilla
- 16 upper jaw
plural fish or fishes
often attributive
1
a
: an aquatic animal
—usually used in combination
starfishcuttlefish
b
: any of numerous cold-blooded strictly aquatic craniate vertebrates that include the bony fishes and usually the cartilaginous and jawless fishes and that have typically an elongated somewhat spindle-shaped body terminating in a broad caudal (see caudal sense 2) fin, limbs in the form of fins when present at all, and a 2-chambered heart by which blood is sent through thoracic gills to be oxygenated
freshwater fish
tropical fish
2
: the flesh of fish used as food
We're having fish for dinner.
3
a
: a person who is caught or is wanted (as in a criminal investigation)
c
: sucker sense 5a
felt sorry for the poor fish
4
: something that resembles a fish: such as
a
b
: torpedo sense 1b
The submarine's fish hit the freighter.
fished; fishing; fishes
1
: to attempt to catch fish
2
: to seek something by roundabout means
fishing for a compliment
3
a
: to search for something underwater
fish for pearls
b
: to engage in a search by groping or feeling
fishing around in her purse for her keys
1
a
: to try to catch fish in
b
: to fish with : use (something, such as a boat, a net, or bait) in fishing
2
a
: to go fishing for
fish salmon
b
: to pull or draw as if fishing
fished the ball from under the car
fish wires through a conduit
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
We're having fish for dinner.
he's rather an odd fish
Verb
We spent the afternoon fishing for trout.
They fished the stream all morning.
She was fishing around in her purse for her keys.
Recent Examples on the Web
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 17 May 2023
The presumably water-free new environment in which the fish finds itself?
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2023
Her children were born in Guatemala, Russia, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, and China, and now live together outside Houston along with seven dogs, two cats, three aquatic turtles, and a fish tank.
—Susan Keating, Peoplemag, 14 May 2023
Enjoy them on their own for a sweet summertime treat or dice them up and use them as a topping for handcrafted fish tacos or add them to homemade mango salsa.
—Ashley Martens, Redbook, 10 May 2023
Bathing or standing waist-deep in saltwater for hours to fish can increase a woman’s risk of reproductive tract infections and affect normal menstruation.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 May 2023
There’s also cipollina (a savory puff pastry stuffed with onions, provolone, and tomato); loads of seasonal vegetables like artichokes, asparagus, and fava beans; and larger plates including whole-roasted fish, steak, and the ribeye cap that Funke offers at all his restaurants.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 5 May 2023
On April 21, Rubio’s hosted its first fish taco cook-off in the test kitchen at its Carlsbad headquarters.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2023
There has been tremendous progress in fish management in the last decade, with all bluefin tuna populations starting to increase.
—Jean Trinh, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2023
Karen Ruffini, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2023
Those seeking to have their toes in the sand while reeling in a catch opt for surf fishing right from the beach.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 5 May 2023
In the early 20th century, North Americans fished large bluefin tunas for sport, not consumption.
—Jean Trinh, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2023
For tribal fishers, who fish above Bonneville Dam where sea lions rarely venture, encounters with the large mammals are scarce, said Hatch with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.
—Gwozniac, oregonlive, 8 Apr. 2023
The wolverine was spotted by two people fishing in the river, which is near Portland.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2023
Bradley also fished Caney Lake with the teens on Wednesday and Friday to practice for the tournament on Saturday, which brought together 185 teams from across the state.
—Bob Mcnally, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2023
For graphers, collecting signatures during awards season is like fishing at a trout farm.
—Drew Schwartz, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
People fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park, Colorado, last year.
—Harriet Baskas, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2023
See More
Noun
After the chomp, the fish quickly disappears below the ocean surface as Haraguchi screams in terror.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 17 May 2023
The presumably water-free new environment in which the fish finds itself?
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2023
Her children were born in Guatemala, Russia, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, and China, and now live together outside Houston along with seven dogs, two cats, three aquatic turtles, and a fish tank.
—Susan Keating, Peoplemag, 14 May 2023
Enjoy them on their own for a sweet summertime treat or dice them up and use them as a topping for handcrafted fish tacos or add them to homemade mango salsa.
—Ashley Martens, Redbook, 10 May 2023
Bathing or standing waist-deep in saltwater for hours to fish can increase a woman’s risk of reproductive tract infections and affect normal menstruation.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 May 2023
There’s also cipollina (a savory puff pastry stuffed with onions, provolone, and tomato); loads of seasonal vegetables like artichokes, asparagus, and fava beans; and larger plates including whole-roasted fish, steak, and the ribeye cap that Funke offers at all his restaurants.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 5 May 2023
On April 21, Rubio’s hosted its first fish taco cook-off in the test kitchen at its Carlsbad headquarters.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2023
There has been tremendous progress in fish management in the last decade, with all bluefin tuna populations starting to increase.
—Jean Trinh, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2023
Verb
Visitors can also watch the dolphins plying the waves, or spend long summer days fishing or clamming.
—Karen Ruffini, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2023
Those seeking to have their toes in the sand while reeling in a catch opt for surf fishing right from the beach.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 5 May 2023
In the early 20th century, North Americans fished large bluefin tunas for sport, not consumption.
—Jean Trinh, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2023
For tribal fishers, who fish above Bonneville Dam where sea lions rarely venture, encounters with the large mammals are scarce, said Hatch with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.
—Gwozniac, oregonlive, 8 Apr. 2023
The wolverine was spotted by two people fishing in the river, which is near Portland.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2023
Bradley also fished Caney Lake with the teens on Wednesday and Friday to practice for the tournament on Saturday, which brought together 185 teams from across the state.
—Bob Mcnally, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2023
For graphers, collecting signatures during awards season is like fishing at a trout farm.
—Drew Schwartz, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
People fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park, Colorado, last year.
—Harriet Baskas, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Old English fisc; akin to Old High German fisc fish, Latin piscis
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of fish was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing fish
Dictionary Entries Near fish
Cite this Entry
“Fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fish. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
fish
1 of 2 noun
plural fish or fishes
1
a
: a water-dwelling animal
—usually used in combination
starfishcuttlefish
b
: a cold-blooded vertebrate animal with a typically long scaly tapering body, limbs developed as fins, and a vertical tail fin that lives and breathes in water
2
: the flesh of fish used as food
fish
2 of 2 verb1
: to catch or try to catch fish
2
a
: to catch or try to catch fish in
fish the stream
b
: to search for something underwater
fishing for pearls
3
: to seek something by or as if by groping or feeling
fished for compliments
fished in his pocket for change
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on fish
Nglish: Translation of fish for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fish for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fish
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