noun
Common
fisher
FIH-shuh
Fisher (noun) means a person who catches fish, whether for a living or for sport. Example: “The fisher mended his nets on the quay before sunrise.”
noun
1
A person who catches fish, whether for a living or for sport.
"The fisher mended his nets on the quay before sunrise."
"Every fisher on the lake knows where the best spots are."
"Local fishers rely on the salmon run every autumn."
2
A North American mammal related to the weasel, prized for its thick fur.
"In many ways the fisher resembles the pine marten, possessing many of the marten's tricks and manners."
— Rutherford George Montgomery, The Living Wilderness (1969)
"A fisher was spotted crossing the trail near the cabin."
How to use fisher
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who catches fish, or a weasel-like North American animal.
UK vs US
"Fisher" is increasingly used as a gender-neutral alternative to "fisherman," especially in professional and conservation contexts.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
commercial fisher
local fishers
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Word forms
- Plural
- fishers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ mended his nets on the quay before sunrise.
Etymology
From Old English fiscere, equivalent to fish plus -er.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for fisher
See all rhymes for fisher →Frequently asked questions
What does “fisher” mean?
The word “fisher” means a person who catches fish, whether for a living or for sport. In plain terms, someone who catches fish, or a weasel-like North American animal.
How do you pronounce “fisher”?
“Fisher” is pronounced FIH-shuh (/ˈfɪʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fisher” in a sentence?
Here is “fisher” used in a sentence: “Local fishers rely on the salmon run every autumn.”
What is another word for “fisher”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fisher” include pekan, fisher cat, black cat, big marten, fisher marten and black fox.
What part of speech is “fisher”?
“Fisher” is a noun.
Where does the word “fisher” come from?
The word “fisher” comes from Old English. From Old English fiscere, equivalent to fish plus -er.
Is “fisher” a common word?
“Fisher” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fisher” have?
“Fisher” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who catches fish, whether for a living or for sport.
What is the difference between a fisher and a fisherman?
Both words mean a person who catches fish, whether for a living or for sport. Fisherman is the traditional everyday term, while fisher is gender-neutral and increasingly preferred in official and journalistic writing. Fisher is also the name of a North American mammal related to the weasel.
Is a fisher cat really a cat?
No. The animal called a fisher cat is the fisher, a North American mammal related to the weasel and prized for its thick fur. Despite the nickname, it is not a feline.
Do fishers actually eat fish?
Despite the name, the fisher — the weasel-family mammal of North America — rarely eats fish. It preys mainly on small mammals and is one of the few predators known for successfully hunting porcupines.
What is the difference between a fisher and a fishmonger?
A fisher catches fish, whether for a living or for sport, while a fishmonger sells fish, traditionally from a shop or market stall. The catch passes from the fisher to the fishmonger before it reaches the customer.
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