anglerfish

noun

ang·​ler·​fish ˈaŋ-glər-ˌfish 

: any of several pediculate fishes (such as the goosefishes)

especially : monkfish

Examples of anglerfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rare deep-sea anglerfish spotted in shallow waters Condrik Tenerife, a specialist in shark and ray research and conservation, was left stunned after spotting a deep-sea anglerfish in shallow waters off the coast of the Canary Islands. —Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2025

Male anglerfish are small − only about one inch − and are not predatory. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025

Disney fans, however, may already be familiar with the anglerfish due to its appearance in 2003's Finding Nemo, in which the creature attempted to chase down Marlin and Dory while in the depths of the ocean. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025

What Anglerfish Can Teach Us Today, there are more than 200 species of anglerfish, a testament to their evolutionary achievement. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

angler + fish entry 1; so called from the lure-like luminescent organ that extends from the tip of a modified dorsal fin in females

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

anglerfish

noun

an·​gler·​fish

-ˌfish

: a bottom-dwelling marine fish that has a large flat head with parts that stick out and lure other fish within reach of its broad mouth