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Definition of oarfish

oarfish

/ˈɔːr.fɪʃ/
oar · fish
Plural:oarfish
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oarfish Lexical Profile

oarfish Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, highly elongated, pelagic bony fish of the family Regalecidae, found in all temperate to tropical oceans, characterized by its ribbon-like silver body, prominent red dorsal fin, and long, oar-shaped pelvic fins.

Example

"Often cited as the historical inspiration for mythological sea serpents, the giant oarfish typically lives in the deep ocean and rarely washes ashore except after major storms."

• Rhymes for oarfish

• Nearby Words

oaky
oar
oared
oarfish
oarsman
oarsmanship
oarswoman

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 18th century, a compound of 'oar' and 'fish', named for the long, highly modified pelvic fins of the fish that resemble rowing oars.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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