noun

starfish

STAH-fihsh

Starfish (noun) means a sea creature, not actually a fish, with a body typically shaped like a five-pointed star. Example: “They found a bright orange starfish clinging to the rocks at low tide.”

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noun

A sea creature, not actually a fish, with a body typically shaped like a five-pointed star.

"They found a bright orange starfish clinging to the rocks at low tide."

How to use starfish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA star-shaped sea animal, often orange or red, that lives on rocks and the seafloor.

Common mistake

Despite the name, a starfish is not a fish — marine biologists often prefer the term "sea star" for this reason.

Common pairings

starfish arm washed-up starfish sea star

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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

starfished past tense, starfishes plural, starfish plural, starfishes singular

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They found a bright orange _____ clinging to the rocks at low tide.

Etymology

A compound of "star" + "fish," describing its shape, even though it is not a true fish but an echinoderm related to sea urchins.

Frequently asked questions

What does “starfish” mean?

The word “starfish” means a sea creature, not actually a fish, with a body typically shaped like a five-pointed star. In plain terms, a star-shaped sea animal, often orange or red, that lives on rocks and the seafloor.

How do you pronounce “starfish”?

“Starfish” is pronounced STAH-fihsh (/ˈstɑː(ɹ)fɪʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “starfish” in a sentence?

Here is “starfish” used in a sentence: “They found a bright orange starfish clinging to the rocks at low tide.”

What part of speech is “starfish”?

“Starfish” is a noun.