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Definition of dolphinfish
dolphinfish
/ˈdɑːl.fɪn.fɪʃ/
dol · phin · fish
Plural:dolphinfishes
dolphinfish Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
dolphinfish Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A large, brightly colored, predatory marine fish of the family Coryphaenidae, typically found in offshore tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.
Example
"The charter boat crew was thrilled to reel in a massive dolphinfish, easily recognized by its vibrant green and yellow hues."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for dolphinfishWord Nuance & Usage
The dolphinfish is a marine fish entirely unrelated to the marine mammal known as a dolphin; it is frequently marketed under the names 'mahi-mahi' or 'dorado' on restaurant menus to prevent diners from mistakenly believing they are eating a mammal.
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'dolphin' and 'fish'. The name likely arose historically because the fish often swims ahead of sailing ships and leaps out of the water, reminiscent of the behavior of mammalian dolphins.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dolphinfish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dolphinfish