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Definition of white shark
white shark
Plural:white sharks
white shark Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
5
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
A large, formidable species of mackerel shark (Carcharodon carcharias) found in coastal surface waters of all major oceans, characterized by a robust body, a slate-gray back, and a distinctively white underside.
Example
"Marine biologists tagged a magnificent white shark off the coast of South Africa to study its extensive transoceanic migration patterns."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Named for the stark white coloration of its ventral (belly) side, which contrasts with its gray dorsal area to provide countershading camouflage in the ocean.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of White shark. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/white shark