Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
ladyfish

ladyfish

1 8.9
A long, silvery fish that lives in warm coastal waters and is often caught for sport
  • noun
  • /ˈleɪdiˌfɪʃ/
  • US
: ladyfish

Examples

  • So did you see the ladyfish on the other rock?

  • This ladyfish and I... - Well, we had the same destiny.

    Big Fish (2003)

  • We had shrimp, we had cut up ladyfish, we had greenbacks, I mean fish.

  • Many anglers enjoy catching the ladyfish for its acrobatic jumps when hooked.

  • The ladyfish is easily recognized by its slender body and shiny silver scales.

  • In the warm coastal waters, the ladyfish is often found swimming near the surface.

Synonyms

Elops saurus
vsladyfish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small sea fish called ladyfish that fights hard when hooked

is the common nontechnical name used for that same fish
tenpounder
vsladyfish
  • US
9.9

A small fish often caught for sport in warm coastal waters

is the standard general name rather than a regional or informal label

Surface Forms

ladyfish singular
ladyfishes plural

Morphology

ladyfish = lady + fish (semi-transparent) = lady + fish

Formally a compound of 'lady' + 'fish' (a fish), but the specific relation of 'lady' to this species is not obvious to learners.

Etymology

Ladyfish is simply the parts lady and fish, and fishermen likely called it a 'lady' because of its slim, shiny, and graceful look in the water. So the name helps you remember a slender, silvery game fish that often leaps and moves gracefully.