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Definition of pigfish

pigfish

/ˈpɪɡ.fɪʃ/
pig · fish
Plural:pigfish
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pigfish Lexical Profile

pigfish Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

American A marine species of grunt (Orthopristis chrysoptera) native to the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, recognized by its pale blue and bronze markings and the grunting sound it makes when removed from the water.

Example

"The angler caught a small pigfish to use as live bait for a larger predatory species."

2

Australian Any of several brightly colored marine wrasses (genus Bodianus), found in the coastal waters of Australia and New Zealand, notable for their pointed snouts.

Example

"While diving near the reef, she spotted a vibrant red pigfish darting among the coral heads."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for pigfish

• Nearby Words

pigeonhole
pigface
pigfeed
pigfish
piggery
piggish
piggishness

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from 'pig' + 'fish', so named because of the grunting or chattering noise it produces by rubbing its pharyngeal teeth together when caught or distressed, reminiscent of a pig.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pigfish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pigfish
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