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Glite Dictionary
sailfish

sailfish

2 6.1
A large fast sea fish with a long pointed bill and a tall sail-like fin
  • noun
  • /ˈseɪlˌfɪʃ/
translation icon : pez vela
  • Blue marlin was the most commonly targeted billfish species (74%), followed by white marlin (49%) and sailfish (43%).

Examples

  • Regular visitors also include snappers, sailfish, marlin, manta rays, reef sharks, and an occasional whale shark.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The total catch was composed of 38% sailfish.

    Academic text (1992)

  • White marlin was the second-most preferred single species (17%) followed by sailfish (15%).

    Academic text (1992)

  • Almost all white marlin and sailfish were released, with only 48 (9%) and 29 (4%), respectively, landed.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Nevertheless, 522 white marlin and 687 sailfish were caught.

    Academic text (1992)

  • The new law prohibits the importation of marlin, sailfish, and spearfish in the continental United States.

    Blog text (26)

  • During our fishing trip, we caught three sailfish in just a few hours.

  • The angler was thrilled when he hooked a large sailfish off the coast.

  • Many fishermen travel to tropical waters to catch sailfish for sport.

Synonyms

billfish
vssailfish
1 7.5

Large fish that eat other fish and have a long pointed jaw like marlin or swordfish

is a particular game fish type rather than the wider predatory group
Istiophorus
vssailfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of large sea fish with long bills and a tall fin on the back like a sail

is the common everyday name rather than the scientific genus

Compounds

Atlantic sailfish
8.1

A large fast fish in the Atlantic Ocean that has a long pointed bill and a tall sail-like fin

How Fast

sailfish
2 6.1
marlin
24 5.5
tuna
213 1.0
mackerel
9 3.3
cod
36 1.0

Surface Forms

sailfish singular
sailfishes plural

Morphology

sailfish = sail + fish (transparent) = sail + fish

The compound denotes a fish with a sail-like dorsal fin and both components are productive and semantically clear to learners.

Etymology

Sailfish comes from the simple parts sail and fish. The fish has a tall, sail-like fin on its back that looks like a ship's 'sail', so the name fits its sail-shaped fin and very fast swimming.