noun
Common
shark
shahk
Shark (noun) means a large predatory fish with a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone, known for its rows of sharp teeth. Example: “The diver watched a shark glide silently past the reef.”
noun
1
A large predatory fish with a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone, known for its rows of sharp teeth.
"The diver watched a shark glide silently past the reef."
"A great white shark was spotted just off the coast."
"Sharks have existed for hundreds of millions of years."
2
A person who ruthlessly exploits or cheats others, especially in business or money matters.
"Be careful with that dealer; he's a shark who overcharges anyone who seems unsure."
"The company was accused of acting like a loan shark, charging desperate borrowers extreme interest."
"He's a shark in negotiations — never give him an opening."
3
Someone who is extremely skilled at a competitive game, especially one who hides that skill to win money (e.g. a pool shark).
"Nobody wanted to play cards with her because she was a known shark."
"The old man looked harmless, but he was a chess shark who won every bet."
"Turned out the "beginner" was a pool shark who'd hustled half the bar."
verb
1
To swindle or cheat someone out of money.
"He was sharked out of his savings by a fake investment scheme."
How to use shark
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the ocean predator, or — as slang — a ruthless, skilled person who preys on others, especially for money.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the innocent fish sense with the slang sense (loan shark, card shark) — context makes it clear which is meant.
Common pairings
loan shark
card shark
pool shark
shark attack
shark tank
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Word forms
- Plural
- sharks
- Third person singular
- sharks
- Past tense
- sharked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The diver watched a _____ glide silently past the reef.
Etymology
First recorded in English in the 1400s referring to the fish, origin uncertain — possibly linked to an older sense of "shark" meaning a swindler or rogue, since sharks (the fish) have long symbolised ruthless predators.
Class of 1400
shark joined the language around 1400.
See the full Class of 1400 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shark
See all rhymes for shark →Frequently asked questions
What does “shark” mean?
The word “shark” means a large predatory fish with a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone, known for its rows of sharp teeth. In plain terms, either the ocean predator, or — as slang — a ruthless, skilled person who preys on others, especially for money.
How do you pronounce “shark”?
“Shark” is pronounced shahk (/ʃɑɹk/ in IPA).
How do you use “shark” in a sentence?
Here is “shark” used in a sentence: “A great white shark was spotted just off the coast.”
What is another word for “shark”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shark” include haye.
What part of speech is “shark”?
Depending on how it is used, “shark” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shark” come from?
The word “shark” dates back to around 1400. First recorded in English in the 1400s referring to the fish, origin uncertain — possibly linked to an older sense of "shark" meaning a swindler or rogue, since sharks (the fish) have long symbolised ruthless predators.
Is “shark” a common word?
“Shark” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shark” have?
“Shark” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large predatory fish with a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone, known for its rows of sharp teeth.
What is the difference between a shark and a loan shark?
A shark is a large cartilaginous predatory fish, while a loan shark is a person who lends money at extremely high interest and exploits borrowers. The second use draws on the figurative meaning of shark as someone who ruthlessly cheats others in money matters.
What is a card shark or a pool shark?
A card shark or pool shark is a person who is highly skilled at cards or pool and uses that skill to win money from others, sometimes by deception. The term extends the figurative sense of shark as someone who exploits people for gain.
Do sharks have bones?
No. A shark's skeleton is made of cartilage rather than bone, which is lighter and more flexible than the bony skeletons of most other fish. This is one of the defining features that sets sharks apart.
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