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Glite Dictionary
leatherfish

leatherfish

9.9
A brightly colored tropical fish with skin like leather that lives in warm water
  • noun
  • /ˈlɛðərˌfɪʃ/
: pez filete
  • The diver pointed out a brightly colored leatherfish swimming near the coral reef.

Examples

  • We observed several leatherfish gliding gracefully through the warm waters of the lagoon.

  • Scientists are studying how the skin of the leatherfish protects it from predators.

  • The leatherfish swam gracefully through the coral reef.

  • Have you ever seen a leatherfish in the wild?

  • The diver pointed out a brightly colored leatherfish swimming near the coral reef.

  • Scientists are studying how the skin of the leatherfish protects it from predators.

  • We observed several leatherfish gliding gracefully through the warm waters of the lagoon.

Synonyms

leatherjacket
vsleatherfish
  • UK
1 9.8

A tropical fish with tough skin and bright colors

is usually brightly colored rather than only sometimes
filefish
vsleatherfish
1 9.1

A narrow flat fish in warm water with rough leathery skin and a long file-like spine on its back

is a brightly colored tropical member rather than a general family term
leatherjack
vsleatherfish
  • US
9.9

A tropical fish with very small scales and tough leather-like skin

is a specific brightly colored tropical fish rather than a regional group

Surface Forms

leatherfish singular
leatherfishes plural

Morphology

leatherfish = leather + fish (transparent) = leather + fish

The meaning is directly the combination of 'leather' + 'fish' (a fish with leathery skin), which is easily inferable by learners.

Etymology

Leatherfish comes from the simple English parts leather ('tough animal skin') and fish, so the name literally means a fish with leathery skin often found in warm waters. That's why the word helps you remember its hard skin and tropical home.