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Definition of rockling

rockling

/ˈrɑːk.lɪŋ/
rock · ling
Plural:rocklings
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rockling Lexical Profile

rockling Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of various small, elongated marine fishes belonging to the family Lotidae, characterized by whisker-like barbels on the snout and chin, and typically found hiding among coastal rocks, crevices, and tide pools.

Example

"While exploring the shallow tide pools at low tide, the marine biology students spotted a tiny five-bearded rockling darting swiftly under a kelp-covered stone."

• Nearby Words

rockies
rocking chair
rockjumper
rockling
rocky mountains
rod
rodent

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the English word 'rock', referring to the rocky coastal habitats where the fish is typically found, combined with the diminutive suffix '-ling'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Rockling. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/rockling
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