marlin

24 5.5

A large fast sea fish with a long pointed upper jaw often caught for sport

noun
/ˈmɑr.lɪn/

: marlín

Let's go down to Mexico and catch another marlin.
blue marlin
white marlin
striped marlin

You are not going to catch a Marlin with a worm.

Examples

While fishing in the ocean, I was thrilled to finally hook a huge marlin after hours of waiting.
Experienced anglers often seek out a marlin for its speed and strength during sport fishing trips.
Had to catch himself a marlin... had to.

Stealing Sinatra (2003)
I wish I could get a big, fat marlin and put it on his line.

Blood Work (2002)
If I could will a big black marlin onto that line, I would.

Fiction book (2002)
That is a tough marlin to hook.

Sound of Freedom (2023)
The most impressive was the one of Charlie with a marlin he'd landed off the coast of Mexico.

Fiction book (1992)
Until just before the leap, the marlin's power seemed undiminished.

Fiction book (2002)
Before she could utter a word, the marlin hit the trolled lure and the outrigger popped.

Fiction book (2002)
Regular visitors also include snappers, sailfish, marlin, manta rays, reef sharks, and an occasional whale shark.

Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

blue marlin

vsmarlin

1 6.1

A very large blue fish that lives in warm seas and can weigh over 900 kilograms

is the general large fast ocean fish type, not a single named species

black marlin

vsmarlin

Australian

7.4

A very large fast fish from the Pacific often caught for sport

is the general large fast ocean fish type rather than one named species

Makaira nigricans

vsmarlin

Specialized

9.9

A very large fish with a long pointed bill that lives in warm seas

is the general large fast ocean fish type, not that specific global species

Makaira mazara

vsmarlin

Specialized

9.9

A large blue marlin fish of the Pacific Ocean that can weigh up to 1000 pounds

is the general large fast ocean fish type not limited to one ocean region

Makaira mitsukurii

vsmarlin

Specialized

9.9

A large Pacific fish with dark blue vertical stripes called the Pacific blue marlin

is the general large fast ocean fish type without that distinctive striping

Makaira marlina

vsmarlin

Specialized

9.9

A large fish in the Pacific Ocean that can weigh up to 1000 pounds

is the general large fast ocean fish type rather than a single named species

striped marlin

vsmarlin

7.6

A large Pacific fish with a long pointed snout and dark blue vertical stripes

is the general large fast ocean fish type without those specific snout or stripes

white marlin

vsmarlin

8.8

A large sea fish with a long body and white belly that people catch for sport

is the general large fast ocean fish type, typically larger and faster

Makaira albida

vsmarlin

Specialized

9.9

A small marlin fish with a long pointed bill from the western Atlantic that can weigh about 180 pounds

is the general large fast ocean fish type, usually much larger in size

Compounds

blue marlin

1 6.1

A very large blue fish that lives in warm seas and can weigh over 900 kilograms

black marlin

Australian

7.4

A very large fast fish from the Pacific often caught for sport

striped marlin

7.6

A large Pacific fish with a long pointed snout and dark blue vertical stripes

white marlin

8.8

A large sea fish with a long body and white belly that people catch for sport

How Fast

sailfish

2 6.1

marlin

24 5.5

tuna

213 1.0

mackerel

9 3.3

cod

36 1.0

Surface Forms

marlin singular

marlins plural

Etymology

Marlin probably comes from the sailor's tool marlinspike, because the fish's long, pointed 'nose' looks like that spike. That's why the name fits a large, fast ocean fish often caught in sport fishing.