opah
opah Lexical Profile
opah Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, brightly colored, deep-bodied pelagic marine fish of the genus Lampris, notable for being the first known fully warm-blooded fish.
"Marine biologists recently discovered that the opah generates heat to keep its entire body warmer than the surrounding deep ocean water."
The rich, flavorful meat of the opah fish, commonly consumed as seafood and highly valued in high-end culinary contexts such as sushi or grilling.
"The chef prepared a seared opah with a light citrus glaze, highlighting the distinct, varying textures of its meat."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often marketed in culinary contexts as moonfish, it should not be confused with the unrelated ocean sunfish (Mola mola), despite occasional shared common names.
• Rhymes for opah
Word Origin & Etymology
Late 18th century; likely derived from a West African language, such as Igbo 'ọba', referring to a type of fish.