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Definition of lungfish

lungfish

/ˈlʌŋ.fɪʃ/
lung · fish
Plural:lungfishes
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lungfish Lexical Profile

lungfish Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of several ancient freshwater bony fishes of the subclass Dipnoi, native to Africa, South America, and Australia, characterized by modified swim bladders that function as lungs and enable them to breathe atmospheric air during periods of severe drought.

Example

"During the dry season, the African lungfish can survive for months by burrowing into the mud and secreting a protective mucus cocoon until the rains return."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lungfish

• Rhymes for lungfish

• Nearby Words

lunchtime
lung
lunge
lungfish
lungful
luni
lunkhead

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-19th century as a straightforward compound of 'lung' and 'fish', referencing the unique modified swim bladder that allows the animal to breathe atmospheric air.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lungfish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lungfish
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