Search Dictionary
Definition of piranha

piranha

/pɪˈrɑː.nə/
pi · ran · ha
Plural:piranhas
JUMP TO:

piranha Lexical Profile

piranha Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of various mostly carnivorous freshwater fish of the family Serrasalmidae, native to South American rivers and renowned for their sharply pointed teeth and powerful jaws.

Example

"During our Amazon River expedition, the guide warned us against swimming in shallow areas where piranhas were known to feed."

2

A ruthless, aggressive, or greedy person who ruthlessly preys on others.

Example

"The young entrepreneur quickly realized that the corporate world was full of piranhas eager to steal his innovative ideas."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for piranha
Antonyms
View all antonyms for piranha

• Rhymes for piranha

• Nearby Words

pique
piracy
piraiba catfish
piranha
pirarucu
pirate
piratical

Word Origin & Etymology

Mid 19th century: from Portuguese, borrowed from the Tupi language, likely a combination of 'pirá' (fish) and 'sanha' (tooth) or 'ánha' (cut).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Piranha. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/piranha
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.