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Definition of triggerfish

triggerfish

/ˈtrɪɡ.ərˌfɪʃ/
trig · ger · fish
Plural:triggerfish
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triggerfish Lexical Profile

triggerfish Game Scores & Validity

• 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."

• Nearby Words

trig
trigger
triggered
triggerfish
triggering
triggerman
triglav

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 Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/triggerfish
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