bannerfish
|ban-ner-fish|
🇺🇸
/ˈbænərfɪʃ/
🇬🇧
/ˈbænəfɪʃ/
fish with a banner-like fin
Etymology
'bannerfish' originates from Modern English, specifically the words 'banner' and 'fish', where 'banner' meant 'flag' and 'fish' meant 'fish'.
'banner' changed from Old French 'baniere' (or 'banier') and ultimately from Late Latin (or a Germanic source influenced the form); 'fish' comes from Old English 'fisc' and developed into modern English 'fish'; these elements combined in Modern English to form the compound 'bannerfish'.
Initially, the parts simply meant 'flag' and 'fish', and when combined they described a 'fish with a flag-like (elongated) fin'; this descriptive meaning has largely been retained.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a common name for several species of tropical marine butterflyfish (family Chaetodontidae), especially those of the genus Heniochus, characterized by an elongated dorsal fin that resembles a banner.
I spotted a bannerfish hovering above the coral reef.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/12 12:10