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Definition of tonguefish

tonguefish

/ˈtʌŋ.fɪʃ/
tongue · fish
Plural:tonguefishes
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tonguefish Lexical Profile

tonguefish Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of numerous species of small, asymmetrical, marine flatfishes in the family Cynoglossidae, characterized by a tear-drop or tongue-like shape, lacking pectoral fins, and typically having both eyes on the left side of the head. They are mostly found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters.

Example

"During the trawl survey in the estuarine waters, researchers collected several specimens of tonguefish hiding in the sandy bottom."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tonguefish

• Rhymes for tonguefish

• Nearby Words

tonga
tongs
tongue
tonguefish
tonguelike
tonic
tonight

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'tongue' and 'fish', named for the distinctive asymmetrical, flat, elongated shape of the fish that resembles an animal's tongue.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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