butterfish

[ buht-er-fish ]

/ ˈbʌt ərˌfɪʃ /

Save This Word!

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

a small, flattened, marine food fish, Peprilus triacanthus, of Atlantic coastal waters of the United States, having very small scales and smooth skin.

the rock gunnel.See under gunnel¹.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of butterfish

First recorded in 1665–75; butter + fish

Words nearby butterfish

buttercup squash, butterfat, butterfat cheque, Butterfield, butterfingers, butterfish, butterflies, butterflies in one's stomach, butterfly, butterfly ballot, butterfly bomb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use butterfish in a sentence

Strain and return to the kettle; add the flounder and butterfish in pieces as large as possible, ½ lb.
Allied Cookery|Grace Glergue Harrison and Gertrude Clergue

British Dictionary definitions for butterfish

butterfish

/ (ˈbʌtəˌfɪʃ) /

noun plural -fish or -fishes

an eel-like blennioid food fish, Pholis gunnellus, occurring in North Atlantic coastal regions: family Pholidae (gunnels). It has a slippery scaleless golden brown skin with a row of black spots along the base of the long dorsal fin

Also called: greenbone, (Māori) marari an edible reef fish, Coridodax pullus, of esp S New Zealand. It has a slippery purplish-grey to olive-green skin and is often found browsing on kelp

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012