# goldfish

/ˈɡoʊɫdˌfɪʃ/ (US) · /ɡˈəʊldfɪʃ/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/goldfish
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a small, orange or gold fish that people often keep as a pet in a bowl or a tank.

For teachers: a small, typically orange-coloured freshwater fish of the carp family, frequently kept in ponds or aquaria.

## Examples

- She feeds her goldfish every morning before school.
- The child won a goldfish at the local fair and carried it home in a plastic bag.
- While commonly kept in small bowls, a goldfish actually requires significant filtration and space to thrive and reach its full physical potential.

## Usage notes

- The plural form can be either 'goldfish' or 'goldfishes', though the former is more common when referring to multiple individuals of the same species.

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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.