noun Uncommon

jellyfish

JEH-lee-fihsh

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Jellyfish (noun) means a soft-bodied, mostly transparent sea creature with a bell-shaped body and trailing tentacles, often capable of stinging. Example: “A jellyfish drifted past the swimmers, its tentacles trailing behind it.”

noun

A soft-bodied, mostly transparent sea creature with a bell-shaped body and trailing tentacles, often capable of stinging.

"A jellyfish drifted past the swimmers, its tentacles trailing behind it."

"She got stung by a jellyfish while wading in the shallows."

How to use jellyfish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe soft, see-through sea animal that can sting you with its tentacles.

Common mistake

Despite the name, jellyfish are not fish — they have no backbone, gills, or fins; they're more closely related to corals and anemones.

Common pairings

a jellyfish sting swarm of jellyfish jellyfish tentacles

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: jellyfishes

Test yourself on “jellyfish” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ drifted past the swimmers, its tentacles trailing behind it.

Etymology

From jelly + fish, describing an aquatic creature with a gelatinous, jelly-like body — even though jellyfish are not true fish at all.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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jelly

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Rhymes for jellyfish

crayfish

See all rhymes for jellyfish →

Frequently asked questions

What does “jellyfish” mean?

The word “jellyfish” means a soft-bodied, mostly transparent sea creature with a bell-shaped body and trailing tentacles, often capable of stinging. In plain terms, the soft, see-through sea animal that can sting you with its tentacles.

How do you pronounce “jellyfish”?

“Jellyfish” is pronounced JEH-lee-fihsh (/ˈd͡ʒɛliˌfɪʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “jellyfish” in a sentence?

Here is “jellyfish” used in a sentence: “A jellyfish drifted past the swimmers, its tentacles trailing behind it.”

What part of speech is “jellyfish”?

“Jellyfish” is a noun.

Where does the word “jellyfish” come from?

The word “jellyfish” comes from Latin. From jelly + fish, describing an aquatic creature with a gelatinous, jelly-like body — even though jellyfish are not true fish at all.

Is “jellyfish” a common word?

“Jellyfish” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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