fish

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A cold-blooded animal that lives in water, breathes through gills, and usually has fins and scales.

   Grammar: The plural is usually fish, not fishes: three fish. Use fishes only for different species.

   Patterns

   • catch a fish
   • a fish swims

   We saw colorful fish swimming near the coral reef.

   He caught a large fish in the river yesterday.

   There are many fish in this lake.

2. 2verbintransitive

   To try to catch fish, usually with a rod, net, or line.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by for or in: fish for trout, fish in the river.

   Patterns

   • fish for something
   • fish in something

   They often fish for salmon in the early morning.

   We went fishing at the lake last weekend.

   He fishes in the river near his house.

3. 3verbintransitive

   To search for something in an indirect way, often by asking many questions or trying to get information.

   Grammar: Often used with for: fish for compliments, fish for information.

   Patterns

   • fish for something

   She was fishing for compliments about her new dress.

   The reporter tried to fish for details about the secret plan.

Word forms

Common combinations

catch a fish

He caught a fish with his bare hands.

fish and chips

Fish and chips is a popular British meal.

go fishing

We often go fishing on Sundays.

fish for compliments

Stop fishing for compliments; you know you did well.

freshwater fish

Trout are freshwater fish.

Synonyms and how they differ

seafood

Seafood refers to fish and shellfish eaten as food, not the living animal.

Word family

fisherman noun

A person who catches fish, especially as a job.

fishing noun

The activity of trying to catch fish.

fishy adjective

Smelling or tasting like fish; also informal for suspicious.

Commonly confused: fish or fishes?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “fish”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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