Meaning & use

piranha

noun·Everyday

A small, freshwater fish native to South America known for its sharp teeth and, in some species, aggressive feeding in groups.

See it in a sentence

The documentary showed a school of piranhas stripping a fish carcass in seconds.

Not all piranha species are dangerous; some feed mainly on plants and insects.

A note on using this word

'Pirana' is a common misspelling; the standard spelling is 'piranha.'

Words with a similar meaning

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