noun

codfish

Codfish (noun) means Another name for cod, a family of cold-water fish including the Atlantic cod. Example: “Codfish were once so plentiful off Newfoundland that ships could barely move through the shoals.”

noun

Another name for cod, a family of cold-water fish including the Atlantic cod.

"Codfish were once so plentiful off Newfoundland that ships could barely move through the shoals."

Cod meat prepared and eaten as food.

"The chowder was thick with codfish and potatoes."

How to use codfish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSimply another, slightly old-fashioned word for cod, whether the living fish or the food.

Common pairings

salted codfish codfish cakes codfish chowder

Word forms

codfish plural, codfishes plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ were once so plentiful off Newfoundland that ships could barely move through the shoals.

Etymology

A compound of cod and fish, used since the Middle Ages to make clear which animal "cod" referred to.

Frequently asked questions

What does “codfish” mean?

The word “codfish” means another name for cod, a family of cold-water fish including the Atlantic cod. In plain terms, simply another, slightly old-fashioned word for cod, whether the living fish or the food.

How do you use “codfish” in a sentence?

Here is “codfish” used in a sentence: “Codfish were once so plentiful off Newfoundland that ships could barely move through the shoals.”

What part of speech is “codfish”?

“Codfish” is a noun.

How many meanings does “codfish” have?

“Codfish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: another name for cod, a family of cold-water fish including the Atlantic cod.