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pufferfish

pufferfish

1 6.3
A fish that becomes round and is often poisonous
  • noun
  • /ˈpʌfərˌfɪʃ/
translation icon : pez globo
  • The same principle applies to the behavioral tactics of certain vertebrates, an example being the pufferfish that swallow water and swell up when threatened.
  • Japanese pufferfish
  • pufferfish skin

Examples

  • Turtles and giant pufferfish enjoy this spot, as do catfish, hundreds of yellow rabbitfish, boring clams, and Christmas tree worms.

    Blog text (3)
  • Carefully prepare fugu, as it is made from pufferfish, which can be toxic if not handled properly.

  • Watch out for the pufferfish, please.

  • Several studies have also found TTX-producing bacteria in samples of pufferfish skin.

    Academic text (1999)
  • It turns out the artist is a small male pufferfish who creates the patterns using his tiny fin.

    Blog text (9)
  • The pufferfish inflates itself to deter predators, showcasing its unique defense mechanism.

  • Many people admire the colorful patterns on the pufferfish, but they are also cautious due to its potential poison.

Synonyms

blowfish
vspufferfish
14 7.7

A fish that swells up and has poison that can be deadly

is described mainly by being often poisonous, not by culinary use
puffer
vspufferfish
4 6.9

A marine fish with spines that fills its body to look like a ball and scare predators, sometimes poisonous

is the full, more formal version of that name
balloonfish
vspufferfish
1 8.4

A small sea fish with short spines that inflates its body when threatened

is the general, often poisonous type rather than just a small relative
spiny puffer
vspufferfish
8.8

A pufferfish with stiff spines that stand out when it inflates

is the broader type not limited to spined varieties
globefish
vspufferfish
9.8

A sea fish with spines that swells into a round ball and is often poisonous

emphasizes being a puffing fish often poisonous rather than its body shape
porcupinefish
vspufferfish
8.3

A fish from warm seas that puffs up and shows sharp spines to protect itself

focuses on puffing and being often poisonous rather than raising spines

How Spiny

pufferfish
1 6.3
burrfish
  • Specialized
9.9
perch
8 4.2
minnow
15 4.2

Surface Forms

pufferfish singular
pufferfishes plural

Morphology

pufferfish = puffer + fish (transparent) = puffer + fish

A clear compound of 'puffer' + 'fish' meaning a fish that puffs up; learners who know the parts can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Pufferfish comes from the simple English word puff, meaning 'to swell' or 'to blow', plus fish, because this sea animal puffs up into a ball. So the name helps you remember that this fish 'puffs' itself up and is often poisonous.