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Definition of coffinfish
coffinfish
/ˈkɔː.fɪnˌfɪʃ/
cof · fin · fish
Plural:coffinfishes
coffinfish Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Australian A bottom-dwelling, deep-sea anglerfish (family Chaunacidae, specifically Chaunax endeavouri) native to the southwestern Pacific Ocean, particularly off the coast of Australia, characterized by a flabby, reddish body, a short illicium (lure), and the ability to inflate itself with water.
Example
"During the deep-sea survey, the marine biology team recorded footage of a coffinfish walking across the ocean floor using its highly modified fins."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for coffinfishWord Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'coffin' and 'fish', named for its boxy, sluggish appearance when resting on the sea floor, which vaguely resembles a coffin.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Coffinfish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/coffinfish