VocabDictionary

fishes

/ˈfɪʃɪz/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

Plural form of fish, often used to emphasize separate kinds, species, or individuals of fish.

Example Sentences:
  • The coral reef is home to hundreds of colorful fishes.
  • Biologists study how different fishes adapt to varying water temperatures.
2.verb

Third-person singular present tense of fish: to catch or attempt to catch fish, or to search carefully for something.

Example Sentences:
  • He fishes in the local river every weekend.
  • She fishes through her oversized bag for her car keys.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “fishes”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Old English 'fisc' (noun) and 'fiscan' (verb), from Proto-Germanic *fiskoz. The plural form traditionally was 'fish', but 'fishes' developed as a regular plural to refer to multiple distinct species or types of fish, as well as serving as the third-person singular present form of the verb 'to fish'.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'fishes' when you are talking about different species swimming together in an aquarium, like a goldfish and a trout.

Frequently Asked Questions About “fishes

1. What is the meaning of “fishes” in English?

In English, fishes (noun) is defined as: “Plural form of fish, often used to emphasize separate kinds, species, or individuals of fish.”.

2. How do you use “fishes” in a sentence?

The coral reef is home to hundreds of colorful fishes.

3. What are English synonyms of “fishes”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “fishes”?

Old English 'fisc' (noun) and 'fiscan' (verb), from Proto-Germanic *fiskoz. The plural form traditionally was 'fish', but 'fishes' developed as a regular plural to refer to multiple distinct species or types of fish, as well as serving as the third-person singular present form of the verb 'to fish'.