fish
fish
fɪʃ
fish
/fɪʃ/

Definition & Meaning of "fish"in English

Fish
01

an animal with a tail, gills and fins that lives in water

fish definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
animacy status
animal
Composition
Simple
countable
plural form
fish

What is "fish"?

Fish are aquatic animals characterized by their streamlined body and scaly skin. They breathe through gills and use fins to swim in water. Fish are found in almost all aquatic environments, from freshwater rivers and lakes to saltwater oceans. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, ranging from tiny minnows to large sharks. Some species of fish are edible and are consumed as a major source of protein by humans around the world. Fisheries are an important industry, providing food and livelihoods for millions of people, but overfishing and pollution have become major threats to many fish populations.

Examples
My dad took me fishing, and we caught a big fish.
1.1

flesh from a fish that we use as food

fish definition and meaning
Examples
He used white fish to make fish and vegetable stir-fry for a healthy dinner.
02

(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Pisces

03

the twelfth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about February 19 to March 20

04

a woman, often implying unpleasant smell or promiscuity

Offensive
Slang
Vulgar

What is the origin of the term "fish" and how is it used?

"Fish" as a slang term for a woman has been used in English since at least the 17th century, originally in prison and sailor slang because it referred to new prisoners or sailors who were fresh, inexperienced, or in some cases, vulnerable, and the metaphor extended to the strong smell of fish to suggest unpleasantness. Over time, it also gained connotations of promiscuity or sexual availability. The term appears in criminal, maritime, and later popular contexts, often in vulgar or derogatory speech. It is highly offensive and derogatory, generally used to insult, demean, or objectify women rather than as a neutral descriptor.

Examples
The crude guys rated every fish walking by.
to fish
01

to catch or attempt to catch fish with special equipment such as a fishing line and a hook or net

Intransitive
to fish definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
action verb
regular
present tense
fish
3rd person singular
fishes
present participle
fishing
past simple
fished
past participle
fished
Examples
I love to fish on sunny days at the lake.
02

to attempt to extract information or a reaction from someone in a subtle or indirect manner

Intransitive: to fish for information or a reaction
Examples
She tried to fish for compliments by mentioning her recent achievements.
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