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Definition of bluegill

bluegill

/ˈbluːˌɡɪl/
blue · gill
Plural:bluegills
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bluegill Lexical Profile

bluegill Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A species of freshwater sunfish native to streams, rivers, and lakes in North America, popular among anglers as a panfish and easily identified by the dark blue or black flap on the edge of its gill cover.

Example

"We spent the afternoon fishing by the lake and caught several small bluegills near the dock."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bluegill

Word Nuance & Usage

Often referred to colloquially as 'bream' or 'brim' in the southern United States, though 'bream' strictly designates an entirely different family of European freshwater fish.

• Nearby Words

bluecap
bluefin tuna
bluefish
bluegill
bluegrass
bluestar
bluethroat

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in American English in the late 19th or early 20th century, formed as a compound of 'blue' and 'gill', referring to the characteristic dark blue or black extension on the operculum (gill cover).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bluegill. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 18, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bluegill
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