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Definition of fangtooth
fangtooth
/ˈfæŋ.tuːθ/
fang · tooth
Plural:fangtooths
fangtooth Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A small, predatory deep-sea fish belonging to the family Anoplogastridae, characterized by a robust head and disproportionately large, fang-like teeth that prevent it from fully closing its mouth.
Example
"During the deep-ocean expedition, marine biologists managed to capture footage of a fangtooth hunting in the pitch-black waters of the bathypelagic zone."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for fangtooth• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A descriptive compound word formed from 'fang' and 'tooth', referencing the fish's highly exaggerated, needle-like dentition.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fangtooth. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fangtooth