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Definition of topminnow

topminnow

/ˈtɑːpˌmɪn.oʊ/
top · min · now
Plural:topminnows
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topminnow Lexical Profile

topminnow Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American Any of various small, surface-feeding freshwater fishes (chiefly of the families Fundulidae or Poeciliidae) native to the Americas, often noted for feeding on mosquito larvae near the water's surface.

Example

"The local conservation department introduced the topminnow into the pond to help control the rapidly expanding mosquito population."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for topminnow

Word Nuance & Usage

Despite the name, topminnows are not true minnows (family Cyprinidae); they belong to the order Cyprinodontiformes, which includes killifishes and livebearers.

• Nearby Words

topless
toplessness
topline
topminnow
topmost
topmouth
topnotch

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in American English by combining 'top' (referring to their habit of swimming and feeding just below the water's surface) and 'minnow' (a general term for small fish).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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