Search Dictionary
Definition of triggerfish
triggerfish
/ˈtrɪɡ.ərˌfɪʃ/
trig · ger · fish
Plural:triggerfish
triggerfish Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
triggerfish Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
Any of various marine fishes of the family Balistidae, typically found in tropical and subtropical oceans, characterized by a laterally compressed body, tough skin, and a large anterior dorsal spine that can be locked into an upright position by a smaller second spine.
Example
"While snorkeling along the coral reef, we spotted a brightly colored triggerfish aggressively defending its nesting territory."
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'trigger' and 'fish', so named because of its distinctive dorsal fin mechanism; the first dorsal spine can be erected and locked in place by a smaller second spine, resembling the trigger of a firearm.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Triggerfish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/triggerfish