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Definition of swordtail

swordtail

/ˈsɔːrd.teɪl/
sword · tail
Plural:swordtails
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swordtail Lexical Profile

swordtail Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, brightly colored freshwater fish (Xiphophorus hellerii) native to North and Central America, popular in home aquariums and characterized by the male's elongated, sword-like lower tail fin.

Example

"He stocked his new tropical aquarium with a school of neon tetras, a pair of guppies, and a vibrant orange swordtail."

2

Any of various butterflies, primarily of the genus Graphium, characterized by long, slender, sword-like extensions on their hindwings.

Example

"The entomologist observed a vivid green swordtail resting delicately on the rainforest canopy."

• Nearby Words

swordsman
swordsmanship
swordswoman
swordtail
swordtail characin
swot
sycamore

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'sword' and 'tail', referring to the elongated, sword-like appearance of the lower lobe of the tail fin in the male fish, or the long hindwing extensions on the butterfly.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Swordtail. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/swordtail
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