catfish

American  

[kat-fish] / ˈkætˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

catfish,

plural

catfishes

1. any of the numerous fishes of the order or suborder Nematognathi (or Siluroidei), characterized by barbels around the mouth and the absence of scales.

2. a wolffish of the genus Anarhichas.

3. any of various other fishes having a fancied resemblance to a cat.

4. Slang. a person who assumes a false identity or personality on the internet, especially on social media websites, as to deceive, manipulate, or swindle.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. Slang. to deceive, swindle, etc., by assuming a false identity or personality online.

   He fell in love with her online before he realized he'd been catfished.

catfish British  

/ ˈkætˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of numerous mainly freshwater teleost fishes having whisker-like barbels around the mouth, esp the silurids of Europe and Asia and the horned pouts of North America

2. another name for wolffish

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Usage

What does catfish mean? Aside from being a delicious kind of river fish, a catfish is a slang term for someone who seduces a person with a false identity online.

Etymology

Origin of catfish

First recorded in 1605–15; cat + fish

Example Sentences

In the new Hulu comedy, Zahn plays Jake Hudson, the stressed-out head coach of the fictional South Georgia Catfish.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

Catfish feels like they’d be an SEC team.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025

On Friday, Liam Gallagher, Catfish and the Bottlemen and 21 Savage are among the acts taking to the main stage.

From BBC • Aug. 23, 2024

Yes, the Sweet Potato Roll with Fried Chesapeake Catfish, Preserved Ramp tarter is a longtime favorite and is still available.

From Salon • Jul. 16, 2024

Catfish and spray paint in hand, Margo threw the door open, jogged across the Worthingtons’ expansive front lawn, and then hid behind an oak tree.

From "Paper Towns" by John Green