butterfly fish
1
4.6
- noun
- /ˈbʌtərflaɪ fɪʃ/
:
pez mariposa
- The butterfly fish swam gracefully in the coral reef.
Examples
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The butterfly fish is known for its vibrant colors and striking patterns that stand out in coral reefs.
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Aquarists often keep butterfly fish because of their beauty and peaceful nature.
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The butterfly fish is known for its striking colors and patterns in coral reefs.
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We saw a school of butterfly fish swimming gracefully among the sea anemones.
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Have you ever seen a butterfly fish in the wild?
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Divers often seek out the butterfly fish because of its vivid appearance and graceful movements in the water.
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In warm tropical waters, you can spot the butterfly fish swimming among the coral formations.
Synonyms
A small bright sea fish with flat sides and fanlike fins that swims near coral reefs
A small bright sea fish with a flat body that lives near coral reefs
A group of colorful fish that live on coral reefs called butterflyfish
A group of bright tropical sea fish like butterflyfish
A group of bright, small fish that live on coral reefs, like butterflyfish
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound 'butterfly fish' is compositionally transparent: 'butterfly' modifies 'fish' to indicate a fish that resembles or is as colorful as a butterfly (e.g. with broad, patterned fins). This straightforward modifier+noun pattern is predictable for learners who know both words and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner would likely infer the meaning.
Etymology
The noun butterfly fish is named for the way its large, colorful fins spread like a butterfly's wings as it swims. That's why the name refers to a small, bright tropical fish with wide fins and bold colors.