perch
6 synonyms for perch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A spiny-finned freshwater fish, or any of several similar fish species.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A spiny-finned freshwater fish, or any of several similar fish species.
“They caught three perch from the lake before lunch.”
How to use perch
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
perch on
a bird's perch
perched atop
Etymology
From Old French perche, from Latin perca, from Greek perke, "perch (the fish)".
Full origin of perch →Frequently asked questions
What does “perch” mean?
The word “perch” means a spiny-finned freshwater fish, or any of several similar fish species. In plain terms, either the fish, a bird's resting branch, or the act of sitting somewhere briefly and often precariously.
How do you pronounce “perch”?
“Perch” is pronounced purch (/pɝt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “perch” in a sentence?
Here is “perch” used in a sentence: “They caught three perch from the lake before lunch.”
What part of speech is “perch”?
Depending on how it is used, “perch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “perch” come from?
The word “perch” comes from Latin. From Old French perche, from Latin perca, from Greek perke, "perch (the fish)".
Is “perch” a common word?
“Perch” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “perch” have?
“Perch” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spiny-finned freshwater fish, or any of several similar fish species.
