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Definition of candiru

candiru

/ˌkæn.dɪˈruː/
can · di · ru
Plural:candirus
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candiru Lexical Profile

candiru Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, scaleless, parasitic freshwater catfish native to the Amazon Basin in South America, known for feeding on the blood of other fish by lodging itself in their gills, and infamous in folklore for occasionally parasitizing humans.

Example

"Biological researchers traveling down the Amazon River must take precautions against various aquatic threats, though accounts of the candiru attacking humans are largely considered exaggerated."

• Rhymes for candiru

• Nearby Words

candidly
candidness
candied
candiru
candle
candleholder
candlelight

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Portuguese 'candiru', derived from the Old Tupi language word 'kandiru'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Candiru. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/candiru
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