noun
fish
FIHSH
noun
1
A cold-blooded animal that lives in water, breathes through gills, and swims using fins.
"They spent the afternoon watching fish dart around the coral reef."
"We caught three fish before lunch."
2
The flesh of such an animal, eaten as food.
"She ordered fish and chips at the pub."
verb
1
To try to catch fish.
"They went out to fish at dawn before the wind picked up."
2
To search for or try to obtain something indirectly, often through hints or probing questions.
"He was clearly fishing for a compliment."
"She fished around in her bag for the keys."
How to Use Fish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn aquatic animal with fins and gills, or the act of trying to catch one — and, figuratively, trying to get information or compliments indirectly.
Common pairings
catch fish
go fishing
fish for compliments
fish and chips
Word Forms
fished past tense, fish plural, fishes plural, fishes plural, Fishes plural, fishes plural, fishes singular
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Etymology
From Old English fisċ, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "fish," related to Latin piscis.