dolphinfish
dolphinfish Lexical Profile
dolphinfish Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, brightly colored, predatory marine fish of the family Coryphaenidae, typically found in offshore tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.
"The charter boat crew was thrilled to reel in a massive dolphinfish, easily recognized by its vibrant green and yellow hues."
Word 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.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.