# marlin

/ˈmɑɹɫən/ (US) · /mˈɑːlɪn/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

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

## Definition

a very large sea fish with a long, pointed nose that looks like a spear. People often try to catch them for sport because they are fast and strong.

For teachers: a large marine game fish belonging to the family Istiophoridae, characterised by an elongated body and a spear-like rostrum. Found primarily in tropical and temperate oceanic waters.

## Examples

- The fisherman spent hours trying to catch a giant marlin.
- Blue marlin are among the fastest swimmers in the ocean and are highly prized by deep-sea anglers.
- The novella depicts an epic struggle between an aging fisherman and a massive marlin, serving as a meditation on endurance and the primal relationship between man and nature.

## Usage notes

- The plural can be either 'marlin' or 'marlins'; 'marlin' is more common in a sporting or commercial context.

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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.