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Definition of knifefish
knifefish
/ˈnaɪf.fɪʃ/
knife · fish
Plural:knifefishes
knifefish Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any of various mostly freshwater fishes (such as those in the orders Gymnotiformes and Osteoglossiformes) found in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, characterized by a long, laterally compressed, blade-like body and often the ability to generate weak electric fields for navigation.
Example
"The black ghost knifefish uses its specialized electrical organs to navigate and locate prey in the dark, murky waters of the Amazon River basin."
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'knife' and 'fish', so named because their elongated, laterally compressed bodies resemble the blade of a knife.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Knifefish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/knifefish