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Definition of shortfin mako shark
shortfin mako shark
Plural:shortfin mako sharks
shortfin mako shark Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
7
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large, highly migratory mackerel shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, renowned for being the fastest species of shark and capable of spectacular leaping breaches.
Example
"Marine biologists tagged the shortfin mako shark to study its migratory patterns across the Atlantic Ocean."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often referred to simply as the 'mako,' it is distinguished from the related longfin mako shark primarily by the shorter length of its pectoral fins and its darker coloring.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shortfin mako shark. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shortfin mako shark