piranha
5 synonyms for piranha, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small South American freshwater fish known for its sharp teeth and reputation for ferocity, though most species mainly scavenge or eat plants.
Synonyms
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.
How to use piranha
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a school of piranhas
piranha-infested waters
Etymology
Borrowed into English by 1869 from Portuguese piranha or Spanish piraña, which trace back to the Old Tupi word pirãîa.
Full origin of piranha →Frequently asked questions
What does “piranha” mean?
The word “piranha” means a small South American freshwater fish known for its sharp teeth and reputation for ferocity, though most species mainly scavenge or eat plants. In plain terms, a toothy river fish from South America, famous (and somewhat exaggerated) for its aggression.
How do you pronounce “piranha”?
“Piranha” is pronounced pih-RAH-nuh (/pɪˈɹɑn(j)ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “piranha” in a sentence?
Here is “piranha” used in a sentence: “The documentary showed a school of piranhas stripping a carcass in minutes.”
What part of speech is “piranha”?
“Piranha” is a noun.
Where does the word “piranha” come from?
The word “piranha” dates back to around 1869 and comes from Spanish. Borrowed into English by 1869 from Portuguese piranha or Spanish piraña, which trace back to the Old Tupi word pirãîa.
