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fin

fin

68 1.0
A flat part on a fish's body that helps it swim and stay balanced
  • noun
  • /fɪn/
: aleta
  • And then we need the side fins and then the tail fin.
  • dorsal fin
  • pectoral fin
  • tail fin

It's an orange one with white fins and a white tail.

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Examples

  • There was a flash of silver fin, the wave of a hand.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • It's an orange one with white fins and a white tail.

  • At the bottom of swells, its dorsal fin came out of the water.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The brown trout flapped its dorsal fin and splashed back into the water.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The dolphin swam gracefully, its dorsal fin cutting through the water.

  • Each species of fish has a unique shape and size of fin that helps it swim efficiently.

  • The shark's pectoral fin allows it to maintain balance while gliding through the ocean.

Synonyms

dorsal fin
vsfin
  • Specialized
6 3.5

A fin on the back of a fish or dolphin that helps it keep balance while swimming

is the general flattened swimming appendage used for movement and balance
pectoral fin
vsfin
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A fin on each side of a fish near the head that helps it steer

is used more for general swimming and maintaining balance than steering
tail fin
vsfin
1 3.1

A flat fin at a fish's rear used to push and steer it in water

is the broader name for any such flattened swimming appendage used for balance
pelvic fin
vsfin
  • Specialized
1 6.3

One of a pair of small fins on the lower body of a fish that help it steer

is the less specific name for any flattened swimming appendage
caudal fin
vsfin
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A tail fin at the back of a fish that pushes water to make it move and steer

is mainly the general swimming appendage for balance rather than propulsion
ventral fin
vsfin
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A fin under a fish that helps it balance and turn

is the general term for any flattened swimming appendage used for balance
homocercal fin
vsfin
  • Specialized
9.9

A tail fin that is the same on both sides and extends past the spine, seen in most bony fish

is the general flattened swimming appendage focused on function rather than shape

Compounds

dorsal fin
  • Specialized
6 3.5

A fin on the back of a fish or dolphin that helps it keep balance while swimming

3 4.0

A large whale with a flat head, long body and small back fin found in the Atlantic and Pacific

tail fin
  • Archaic
2 6.4

A decorative metal piece on a car's rear that looks like a small wing

pectoral fin
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A fin on each side of a fish near the head that helps it steer

tail fin
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A vertical surface at the plane's tail that helps keep it steady in flight

1 3.1

A flat fin at a fish's rear used to push and steer it in water

vertical fin
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A flat upright part on an airplane tail that keeps the plane pointing straight

pelvic fin
  • Specialized
1 6.3

One of a pair of small fins on the lower body of a fish that help it steer

caudal fin
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A tail fin at the back of a fish that pushes water to make it move and steer

ventral fin
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A fin under a fish that helps it balance and turn

fin keel
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A metal piece under a boat that keeps it from moving sideways

ventral fin
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A fin under a plane or rocket that helps keep it stable in flight

fin de siècle
  • Literature
9.9

Relating to the mood and art at the end of a century, often the late 1800s

fin de siècle
  • Literature
9.9

A period at the end of a century, especially the late 1800s, with a mood of decline

fin-de-siècle
  • Literature
9.9

About the end of a century, especially the late 19th century, showing cultural change and moral decline

long-fin tunny
  • Specialized
7.0

A large tuna with long side fins often sold as canned fish

heterocercal fin
  • Specialized
9.9

A tail fin with a larger top than bottom and the backbone entering the top, like sharks

homocercal fin
  • Specialized
9.9

A tail fin that is the same on both sides and extends past the spine, seen in most bony fish

soup-fin
  • Specialized
9.9

A Pacific shark with fins used for Chinese soup and liver rich in vitamin A

How Stable

stabilizer
  • Specialized
4 6.2
vane
  • Specialized
1 7.7
fletching
  • Specialized
1 9.8
fin
68 1.0

Surface Forms

fin singular
fins plural

Etymology

Fin first named the flat, wing-like limb of a fish. Think of it as a small 'wing' that helps the fish push and balance in water, which is why a fin helps a fish swim and stay steady.