catfish
|cat-fish|
B2
/ˈkætˌfɪʃ/
whiskered fish
Etymology
Etymology Information
'catfish' originates from the combination of 'cat' and 'fish', referring to the fish's whisker-like barbels resembling a cat's whiskers.
Historical Evolution
'catfish' has been used in English since the 16th century to describe this type of fish.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred only to the fish, but in the 21st century, it also came to mean deceiving someone online.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a type of fish with whisker-like barbels around the mouth, found in freshwater and marine environments.
The river is home to several species of catfish.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/03/02 13:22