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angler

angler

9.9
A fish with a light on its head that lures other fish
  • noun
  • /ˈæŋɡlər/
translation icon : pez abisal
  • The documentary featured the fascinating hunting techniques of the angler fish that lives in the deep sea.

Examples

  • The angler fish uses its lure to attract smaller fish in the dark ocean depths.

  • OK, I've got Aurora, the angler fish.

  • Like the angler fish we studied in biology.

    My One and Only (2009)

  • If I'm right any boys saw an angler fish in the woods, it's putting something out there to lure me in.

  • So the ILM crew looked at lots of fish, especially "those angler fish that live at the bottom of the ocean," and manta rays.

    Blog text (30)

  • In biology class, we learned about the unique adaptations of the angler fish, which helps it catch prey.

Synonyms

anglerfish
vsangler
1 8.6

A deep-sea fish with a big mouth and a glowing lure on its head that it uses to attract prey

is the broader term that includes that species
frogfish
vsangler
1 8.8

A sea fish with a mouth like a frog and a small lure on its nose to attract fish

has a distinct frog-like mouth and snout lure rather than a simple large mouth
lotte
vsangler
  • US
1 9.9

A long freshwater fish with a big mouth and a wormlike filament to attract prey

is usually marine or general rather than freshwater specific
angler fish
vsangler
7.4

A deep sea fish with a large mouth and a glowing lure on its head to attract prey

is the single-word modern form used more often
allmouth
vsangler
9.9

A deep-sea fish with a large mouth and a long wormlike filament used to attract prey

is the more common general term for the same fish
monkfish
vsangler
6.3

A large sea fish with a flat, wide head and a big mouth

focuses on the lure and large mouth rather than head shape
goosefish
vsangler
  • US
9.9

A large sea fish with a big mouth and flat wide head that uses a wormlike lure to catch fish

is defined broadly by the lure rather than head shape

Compounds

angler fish
7.4

A deep sea fish with a large mouth and a glowing lure on its head to attract prey

Surface Forms

angler singular
anglers plural

Etymology

The fish called an angler is named from the old word angel meaning 'hook' because it 'fishes' with a glowing lure on its head like a baited hook. That's why an angler waits and lures prey in the same way a person fishing uses bait.