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Definition of mudskipper
mudskipper
/ˈmʌdˌskɪp.ɚ/
mud · skip · per
Plural:mudskippers
mudskipper Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
mudskipper Game Scores & Validity
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WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
An amphibious fish of the goby family (Oxudercidae) native to the mudflats and mangrove swamps of the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic coast of Africa, characterized by its ability to breathe out of water and its modified pectoral fins used for 'walking' or skipping across land.
Example
"During low tide, the mudskipper emerges from the shallow water to hunt for insects and defend its territory on the exposed mud."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for mudskipperWord Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'mud' and 'skipper', coined in the 18th century in reference to the fish's distinctive habit of emerging from the water and skipping or dragging itself across exposed mudflats.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mudskipper. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mudskipper