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Definition of hagfish

hagfish

/ˈhæɡˌfɪʃ/
hag · fish
Plural:hagfish
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hagfish Lexical Profile

hagfish Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of various primitive, jawless marine fishes of the class Myxini, characterized by a smooth, eel-like body, cartilaginous skeleton, and the ability to exude copious amounts of protective slime when disturbed.

Example

"When the predator attempted a bite, the hagfish instantly released a massive cloud of fibrous slime that clogged the shark's gills."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hagfish

• Rhymes for hagfish

• Nearby Words

haemanthus
haew narok
hagen pit viper
hagfish
haggis
hai
hai river

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'hag' and 'fish', coined in the early 17th century, likely inspired by the creature's repulsive appearance and its habit of burrowing into dead or dying fish to feed.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hagfish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hagfish
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