goldfish

[ gohld-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) gold·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) gold·fish·es.

1. a small, usually yellow or orange fish, Carassius auratus, of the carp family, native to China, bred in many varieties and often kept in fishbowls and pools.
2. garibaldi ( def 2 ).

goldfish

/ ˈɡəʊldˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. a freshwater cyprinid fish, Carassius auratus, of E Europe and Asia, esp China, widely introduced as a pond or aquarium fish. It resembles the carp and has a typically golden or orange-red coloration
2. any of certain similar ornamental fishes, esp the golden orfe See orfe

Word History and Origins

Origin of goldfish¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; gold + fish

Example Sentences

In “Fantasmas,” from Julio Torres, odd threads involving the search for a lost earring, a worrisome birthmark and his quest to acquire “proof of existence” weave through odder diversions — a clear Crayola, dresses for toilets, a nightclub for gay hamsters, a call center staffed by mermaids, an abusive executive goldfish.

From Los Angeles Times

Evans, who has spoken openly about his mental health struggles said three-time champion Jones taught him a lot about being in the "goldfish bowl".

From BBC

The giant purse contains a dead goldfish in a bag, a gun, a smaller night purse and an uncounted Pennsylvania ballot.

From Los Angeles Times

But being in a goldfish bowl can also have the opposite effect, as demonstrated in a scene in a huge Texas steakhouse where the friends stop off for dinner.

From BBC

“We don’t want it to be like, ‘Somebody gave me a goldfish and I killed it within a month.

From Los Angeles Times