noun
sawfish
SAW-fish
Sawfish (noun) means a sawfish is any ray of the family Pristidae, a flat-bodied marine fish with a long snout edged like a saw. Example: “The aquarium's largest tank holds a rescued sawfish.”
noun
1
A sawfish is any ray of the family Pristidae, a flat-bodied marine fish with a long snout edged like a saw.
"The aquarium's largest tank holds a rescued sawfish."
"Divers kept well clear of the sawfish's toothed snout."
"Sawfish numbers have fallen sharply in many coastal waters."
How to use sawfish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sawfish is a ray with a long snout that looks like a saw.
When to use it
It is a plain, everyday name used in both casual and scientific writing about marine life.
Memory tip
Picture the saw-shaped snout, that image alone explains the whole name.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
a sawfish's snout
an endangered sawfish
spot a sawfish
sawfish population
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Fill the gap
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The aquarium's largest tank holds a rescued _____.
Etymology
Sawfish simply joins saw and fish, describing the fish's long, saw-edged snout.
Rhymes for sawfish
See all rhymes for sawfish →Frequently asked questions
What is a sawfish?
It is a ray with a long, flat snout lined with tooth-like edges, resembling a saw.
Is a sawfish a type of shark?
No, despite its shark-like shape, a sawfish is more closely related to rays.
What is a sawfish's snout used for?
Its saw-like snout can make up a large part of its body length and is used to sense and strike prey.
What is the meaning of sawfish?
"sawfish" (noun) means a sawfish is any ray of the family Pristidae, a flat-bodied marine fish with a long snout edged like a saw.
