# jellyfish

/ˈdʒɛɫiˌfɪʃ/ (US) · /dʒˈɛlɪfɪʃ/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

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

## Definition

a sea animal with a soft, clear body that looks like jelly and long, thin tentacles. Some of them can give you a painful sting if you touch them.

For teachers: a free-swimming marine coelenterate with a gelatinous bell- or saucer-shaped body and stinging tentacles. Often used as a collective noun when referring to a group in a biological context.

## Examples

- We saw a large jellyfish floating near the shore.
- The beach was closed to swimmers after several people reported being stung by a jellyfish in the shallow water.
- While most species are harmless to humans, the translucent body of the box jellyfish contains a potent venom that can cause severe physiological distress within minutes of contact.

## Usage notes

- The plural form can be either 'jellyfish' or 'jellyfishes', though 'jellyfish' is more common when referring to a group 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.