# fisher

/ˈfɪʃɝ/ (US) · /fˈɪʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fisher
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. person who fishes

noun · CEFR A2

a person who catches fish for a job or for fun.

For teachers: a person who catches fish, whether for commercial purposes or as a recreational pastime.

- The fisher sat quietly by the river waiting for a bite.
- Local fishers have expressed concern regarding the new regulations that limit the catch size for several protected species in the bay.

Usage: While 'fisherman' is more common, 'fisher' is often used as a gender-neutral alternative.

### 2. the animal

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a North American animal with thick brown fur that looks like a large weasel.

For teachers: a North American marten-like mammal (Pekania pennanti) known for its dark, thick fur and predatory habits.

- We saw a fisher running through the woods during our hike in Canada.
- The reintroduction of the fisher into its native habitat has helped control the population of porcupines in the northern forests.

Teaching tip: Despite the name 'fisher cat', this animal is a member of the weasel family and does not eat fish as its primary diet.

## Examples

- The local fisher sells fresh salmon at the market every morning.
- After hours of waiting by the riverbank, the patient fisher finally caught a large trout.
- Small-scale fishers often struggle to compete with industrial trawlers that can process thousands of tons of seafood in a single voyage.

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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.