bonefish

American  

[bohn-fish] / ˈboʊnˌfɪʃ /

noun

• bonefishes,
  plural
• bonefish
  plural

1. a marine game fish, Albula vulpes, found in shallow tropical waters, having a skeleton composed of numerous small, fine bones.

2. ladyfish.

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bonefish British  

/ ˈbəʊnˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. a silvery marine clupeoid game fish, Albula vulpes , occurring in warm shallow waters: family Albulidae

2. a similar related fish, Dixonina nemoptera , of the Pacific Ocean

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bonefish
  plural
• bonefishes
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of bonefish

An Americanism dating back to 1725–35; bone ( def. ) + fish

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bonefish

Unlike many women of the time, she was surprisingly adept around an automobile engine, and she loved to fish, traveling with my father to Florida for bonefish and to Maine for landlocked salmon.

From New York Times ● May 2, 2022

So far, the Charles Darwin Scientific Station has registered 10.659 species — some endemic and others introduced — ranging from mammals to bonefish to snakes, fungi and plants, plankton and bacteria.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 24, 2021

“We saw it beginning maybe 15 years ago,” said Will Benson, a Key West native whose clients pay him $700 a day to chase bonefish, tarpon and permit in the shallow inshore waters.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 26, 2021

Fishing captain Brett Greco has spent nearly half his life guiding anglers in pursuit of tarpon, bonefish, snook, redfish, permit and sea trout in the rich waters of Florida Bay.

From Scientific American ● Jun. 21, 2019

When Luno had shown up at the trailer, Lice naturally assumed that Dusty had found out about his secret deal with Dad—the bonefish skiff in exchange for Lice’s testimony.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

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