Search Dictionary
Definition of catfishing

catfishing

/ˈkætˌfɪʃ.ɪŋ/
cat · fish · ing
JUMP TO:

catfishing Lexical Profile

catfishing Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The deceptive practice of creating a fictitious online persona on social media or a dating platform to lure someone into a relationship or scam them.

Example

"The cybersecurity seminar warned teenagers about the emotional and financial dangers of online catfishing."

2

The recreational activity or sport of angling specifically for catfish.

Example

"They spent the warm summer evening catfishing along the muddy banks of the Mississippi River."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for catfishing

• Nearby Words

caterpillar
catfight
catfish
catfishing
catflap
catfood
catharanthus

Word Origin & Etymology

Popularized by the 2010 American documentary film Catfish and its subsequent reality television series, in which a man discovers that the woman he had been communicating with online had fabricated her entire identity.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Catfishing. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/catfishing
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.