fish
/fɪʃ/
The term carries a dual identity, shifting from a biological classification to a culinary commodity. When referring to the animal in a natural habitat, it evokes images of aquatic agility and silence. In a domestic or commercial setting, the word often shifts toward the concept of food, losing its association with a living creature. Grammatically, the word is highly irregular regarding plurality. While "fishes" is acceptable when referring to multiple different species of fish, the standard plural for multiple individuals of the same species is "fish." This makes it a zero-plural noun in most common usage contexts.
Countable when referring to individual animals or different species ('There are three fish in the bowl' or 'The Atlantic contains many different fish'). Uncountable when referring to fish as a food source on a plate ('I had some grilled fish for lunch').
💬Casual Conversation
Ugh trying to cook this fish is making me question all my life choices. Adulting is a scam.
DID YOU REMEMBER TO THAW THE FISH FIRST DEAR
Meanings
A cold-blooded vertebrate animal with gills and fins that lives in water.
"The goldfish swam slowly across the tank."
To attempt to catch fish using a hook, net, or similar device.
"He spent the whole afternoon fishing the mountain stream."
Collocations & Compounds
fresh fish
Fish that has recently been caught and is intended for eating.
We bought some fresh fish from the market this morning.
pet fish
Fish kept as a pet in a home aquarium.
My daughter loves feeding her pet fish every day.
farmed fish
Fish that are raised in captivity for food.
The sustainability of farmed fish is a growing concern.
frozen fish
Fish that has been preserved by freezing.
It's convenient to keep some frozen fish in the freezer for quick meals.
shell fish
Aquatic invertebrates with an exoskeleton, such as shellfish.
Many people enjoy eating shellfish like shrimp and oysters.
Phrasal Verbs
fish for
To try to get information or a compliment by indirectly asking questions.
He kept fishing for compliments about his new haircut.
fish out
To remove something from a liquid or a mass of things by reaching in.
She had to fish out her keys from the bottom of her bag.
fish around
To search for something by moving things around.
I was fishing around in my drawer for a pen.
Idioms & Sayings
plenty of fish in the sea
There are many other people available for a romantic relationship.
Don't worry about the breakup; there are plenty of fish in the sea.
a big fish in a small pond
An important person in a small or insignificant organization or community.
He was a big fish in a small pond at his previous job, but now he's just one of many.
drink like a fish
To drink alcohol excessively.
He went to the party and proceeded to drink like a fish.
much to the fish's dismay
A humorous expression indicating something went wrong.
The picnic was planned for Saturday, but, much to the fish's dismay, it rained all day.
like a fish out of water
In an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.
As a city person, I felt like a fish out of water on the farm.
Etymology
The word 'fish' comes from the Old English 'fisc', which itself derives from the Proto-Germanic 'fiskaz'. This root can be traced back even further to the Proto-Indo-European 'peysk-', meaning 'fish'. The word has remained remarkably consistent in form and meaning throughout the history of the English language and across many related Germanic languages.