noun

monkfish

MUHNGK-fihsh

Monkfish (noun) means a large, bottom-dwelling fish with a big flattened head and mouth, prized for its firm white meat. Example: “The chef pan-seared monkfish tail with a garlic butter sauce.”

noun

A large, bottom-dwelling fish with a big flattened head and mouth, prized for its firm white meat.

"The chef pan-seared monkfish tail with a garlic butter sauce."

How to use monkfish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn ugly-looking but tasty seafish, often called the "poor man's lobster" for its texture.

Common pairings

monkfish tail roasted monkfish

Word forms

monkfish plural, monkfishes plural

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The chef pan-seared _____ tail with a garlic butter sauce.

Etymology

Formed from "monk" plus "fish" — the fish's odd, hooded head was thought to resemble a monk's cowl.

Frequently asked questions

What does “monkfish” mean?

The word “monkfish” means a large, bottom-dwelling fish with a big flattened head and mouth, prized for its firm white meat. In plain terms, an ugly-looking but tasty seafish, often called the "poor man's lobster" for its texture.

How do you pronounce “monkfish”?

“Monkfish” is pronounced MUHNGK-fihsh (/ˈmʌŋk.fɪʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “monkfish” in a sentence?

Here is “monkfish” used in a sentence: “The chef pan-seared monkfish tail with a garlic butter sauce.”

What part of speech is “monkfish”?

“Monkfish” is a noun.