fish
gb/fˈɪʃ/ us/fˈɪʃ/
A1
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Cold-blooded aquatic animal
An animal that lives in water, breathes through gills, and has fins.
Usage pattern:
[a/an/the] fish
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'fish' with 'fishes'. 'Fish' is used for both singular and plural in most cases; 'fishes' is used mainly for different species.
Synonyms
sea creature (A broader term for any animal living in the sea, not just fish.)
|
marine animal (Refers to any ocean-dwelling animal, includes mammals and others.)
Antonyms
terrestrial animal (Lives on land instead of in water.)
Collocations
catch fish
|fish tank
|freshwater fish
|saltwater fish
|school of fish
Themes
animals
|nature
|food
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We saw colorful fish swimming near the coral reef.
- Salmon is a type of fish that can live in both fresh and salt water.
- The pond is full of small goldfish.
- Tuna is one of the most popular fish eaten around the world.
Learner examples
- I see a fish in the water.
- The fish is big and red.
- She has a fish in a bowl.
- We eat fish for dinner.
Verb
A2
action
2
Catch fish from water
To try to catch fish from water using a rod, net, or trap.
Usage pattern:
to fish [in/at] [a place]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'fish' (verb) with 'go fishing'. 'Go fishing' refers to the activity; 'fish' describes the act itself.
Synonyms
angle (More formal or specific term for fishing with a rod and line.)
Antonyms
release (To let a caught fish go free instead of catching it.)
Collocations
fish for trout
|fish in the river
|fish all day
|fish with a net
Themes
hobbies
|nature
|sports
|animals
|daily_life
Examples
- They like to fish in the lake every summer.
- We fished off the pier until sunset.
- She fishes for salmon in Alaska during the season.
Learner examples
- I fish in the river.
- They fish every weekend.
- My father likes to fish at the lake.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
3
Gullible or easily caught person
A person who is easy to trick or fool.
Usage pattern:
[a/an] fish
Synonyms
sucker (Informal word for someone easily fooled.)
Antonyms
skeptic (Someone who is hard to deceive because they doubt things.)
Themes
people
|slang
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He's such a fish—he believed that fake story immediately.
- The scammer thought she was an easy fish to catch.
- Only a real fish would fall for that trick.
Learner examples
- He is a fish. He believes anything.
- They call him a fish because he is easy to trick.
- She was a fish for that lie.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fish
IPA
GB/fˈɪʃ/
US/fˈɪʃ/
Syllables & stress
fish (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (fish)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: fish
- Plural: fish, fishes
Verb
- Base: fish
- 3rd Person Singular: fishes
- Present Participle: fishing
- Past: fished
Word family
Expressions
a big fish
1/ə bˈɪɡ fˈɪʃ/
idiom
Important or powerful person
An important or powerful person in a group or area.
Examples
- He's a big fish in the local business community.
- She became a big fish after her company went public.
drink like a fish
1/dɹˈɪŋk lˈaɪk ə fˈɪʃ/
idiom
informal
Drink alcohol heavily and often
To drink a lot of alcohol very often.
Examples
- He drinks like a fish when he's with his old friends.
- She used to drink like a fish before she stopped drinking altogether.
fish for compliments
1/fˈɪʃ fɚ kˈɑmpləmɛnts/
idiom
informal
Try to get praise indirectly
To try to make people say nice things about you without asking directly.
Examples
- She was clearly fishing for compliments when she asked if her dress looked okay.
- Stop fishing for compliments and just accept that you look great.
there are plenty more fish in the sea
1/ðˈɛɹ ˈɑɹ plˈɛnti mˈɔɹ fˈɪʃ ˈɪn ðə sˈi/
idiom
Many other options available
There are many other people you can date or chances you can take after losing one.
Examples
- Don't worry about your breakup—there are plenty more fish in the sea.
- He told her there are plenty more fish in the sea after she lost her job.
like a fish out of water
1/lˈaɪk ə fˈɪʃ ˈaʊt əv wˈɔtɚ/
idiom
uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation
Feeling strange and not comfortable because you are in a place or situation you do not know well.
Examples
- I felt like a fish out of water at that fancy party.
- He was like a fish out of water when he moved to the big city.
like a fish out of water
2/lˈaɪk ə fˈɪʃ ˈaʊt əv wˈɔtɚ/
idiom
Uncomfortable in unfamiliar setting
Feeling nervous or not at ease because you are in a place or situation you do not know well.
Examples
- I felt like a fish out of water at the formal dinner.
- He was like a fish out of water at his first dance class.