# catfish

/ˈkætˌfɪʃ/ (US) · /kˈætfɪʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/catfish
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the fish

noun · CEFR B2

a freshwater fish that has long, whisker-like hairs around its mouth and no scales.

For teachers: any fish of the order Siluriformes, typically characterized by prominent barbels and a lack of scales.

- We saw a large catfish swimming near the bottom of the muddy river.
- The angler specialized in catching trophy-sized catfish, often spending entire nights on the riverbank waiting for a strike.

### 2. the food

noun · CEFR B2

the meat of the catfish, often fried and eaten as a meal.

For teachers: the flesh of the catfish used as food, particularly prominent in Southern American and Central European cuisines.

- Fried catfish with a side of coleslaw is a classic dish in the South.
- The restaurant is famous for its cornmeal-crusted catfish, which is sourced daily from local sustainable farms.

### 3. a fake online persona

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

someone who creates a fake social media profile to trick people, often for romance.

For teachers: a person who creates a deceptive social media identity, typically to pursue a fraudulent online relationship.

- He realized his online girlfriend was a catfish when she refused to video call.
- The documentary explores the psychological motivations of a serial catfish who maintained dozens of fictional identities simultaneously.

### 4. to deceive online

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

to trick someone by using a fake profile on the internet.

For teachers: to deceive a person by adopting a false identity on social media or dating platforms.

- She was shocked to find out that a stranger had been catfishing her for months.
- The victim reported the incident to the authorities after discovering that the person catfishing him had also attempted to solicit money.

Usage: This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

## Examples

- She found out her boyfriend was a catfish.
- He suspected his new online friend was a catfish because the photos looked too perfect.
- The documentary explores how digital catfish exploit the vulnerability of lonely individuals seeking genuine connection in the age of social media.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.