Meaning & use

shark

noun·Everyday

A large predatory fish with a cartilaginous skeleton, rows of sharp teeth, and a reputation for being dangerous to humans.

See it in a sentence

A great white shark circled the divers' cage just a few feet away.

Marine biologists tagged the shark to track its migration across the Pacific.

A note on using this word

Informally, 'shark' also describes a ruthless or highly skilled person, as in 'loan shark' or 'card shark.'

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

A person who ruthlessly exploits or cheats others, often in business or gambling.

The loan shark charged desperate borrowers outrageous rates of interest.

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