Search Dictionary
Definition of goatfish

goatfish

/ˈɡoʊt.fɪʃ/
goat · fish
Plural:goatfish
JUMP TO:

goatfish Lexical Profile

goatfish Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of various marine perciform fishes of the family Mullidae, characterized by a pair of long, chemosensory barbels protruding from the chin used to probe the ocean floor for food, primarily found in tropical and subtropical reefs.

Example

"While snorkeling over the coral reef, we observed a yellow goatfish using its chin barbels to vigorously sift through the sand for small invertebrates."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for goatfish

• Nearby Words

goat
goatee
goateed
goatfish
goatherd
goatlike
goatsbeard

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'goat' and 'fish', named for the pair of long, whisker-like barbels on the fish's lower jaw that resemble a goat's beard.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Goatfish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/goatfish
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.