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Definition of clownfish

clownfish

/ˈklaʊn.fɪʃ/
clown · fish
Plural:clownfish
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clownfish Lexical Profile

clownfish Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, brightly colored marine fish of the subfamily Amphiprioninae, native to the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and renowned for its symbiotic relationship with sea anemones.

Example

"The vibrant orange and white clownfish darted safely among the stinging tentacles of its host anemone."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for clownfish

• Nearby Words

cloudcap falls
clove
clover
clownfish
club
club sandwich
cluj-napoca

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-19th century as a compound of 'clown' and 'fish', referring to the fish's bright, bold coloration and lively swimming patterns that evoke the vibrant makeup and attire of a clown.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Clownfish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/clownfish
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