English Reference

Word

fish

Phoneticsfish

US/ˈfɪʃ/

UK/fˈɪʃ/

Definitions

01aquatic animal

A1 · Beginner Countable noun zoology

n. a cold-blooded animal that lives in water and breathes through gills.

n. a cold-blooded vertebrate animal that lives in water, typically possessing fins and breathing through gills.

“The children spent the afternoon watching the colorful fish swim in the pond.”

“Marine biologists are studying how certain species of deep-sea fish have adapted to extreme pressure and total darkness.”

02food

A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun Cooking

n. the meat of a fish eaten as food.

n. the flesh of fish used as a dietary protein source.

“We usually have grilled fish with a side of vegetables for dinner.”

“The restaurant is famous for serving fresh fish caught by local boats earlier that morning.”

Synonyms

03to catch fish

A2 · Elementary fishing

v. to try to catch fish from a river, lake, or the sea.

v. to attempt to catch fish or other aquatic animals for sport or food.

“My grandfather likes to fish in the lake behind his house every weekend.”

“Commercial vessels fish these waters extensively during the summer months to meet the high demand for tuna.”

Synonyms

04to search for something

B1 · Intermediate

v. to search for something hidden among other things using your hands.

v. to search for or attempt to find something by reaching into a container or among other objects.

“She had to fish around in her large bag for several minutes to find her keys.”

“He reached into the dark drawer and fished for a spare battery until his fingers brushed against something metallic.”

Synonyms

rummagegropefumble

05to seek information

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to try to get information or a compliment from someone in an indirect way.

v. to attempt to elicit information, praise, or a specific reaction through indirect questioning or artifice.

“I think he is just fishing for a compliment when he says his work is bad.”

“The journalist was clearly fishing for a headline by asking the senator leading questions about the scandal.”

Synonyms

06vulnerable person

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Slang

n. a person who is easily tricked or a new prisoner who is at risk.

n. a person who is easily swindled or a new, vulnerable inmate in a prison context.

“The professional gamblers realized the newcomer was a fish and took his money.”

“In the harsh environment of the correctional facility, the older inmates immediately identified the new arrival as a fish.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage

The plural is usually 'fish' when referring to a group of the same kind, but 'fishes' is used in scientific contexts to refer to different species.

Pitfall

I saw three fishes in the pond.

I saw three fish in the pond.

When counting individuals of the same type, the plural form is identical to the singular.

Word family

ADJECTIVE

Related words

Idioms

Domains

AstronomyFishingMilitaryNauticalZoology

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Very common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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English Reference