dogfish

American  

[dawg-fish, dog-] / ˈdɔgˌfɪʃ, ˈdɒg- /

noun

dogfishes plural

1. any of several small sharks, especially of the genera Mustelus and Squalus, that are destructive to food fishes.

2. any of various other fishes, such as the bowfin.

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dogfish British  

/ ˈdɒɡˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of several small spotted European sharks, esp Scyliorhinus caniculus ( lesser spotted dogfish ): family Scyliorhinidae

2. any small shark of the family Squalidae, esp Squalus acanthias ( spiny dogfish ), typically having a spine on each dorsal fin

3. any small smooth-skinned shark of the family Triakidae, esp Mustelus canis ( smooth dogfish or smooth hound )

4. a less common name for the bowfin

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• dogfish
  plural
• dogfishes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of dogfish

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; dog + fish

Example Sentences

Last week, another walker came across a pile of dead marine life, believed to be catshark - also known as dogfish, at Saundersfoot, in Pembrokeshire.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

The fish sold through Fishadelphia includes well-known species like tuna or scallops and what Yi calls underutilized: species like dragon fish, dogfish, monkfish, skate and when those aren't available, clams and oysters.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2023

The U.S. ban comes with a few exceptions, including allowing the sale of fins from certain dogfish sharks.

From Washington Post • Dec. 15, 2022

Sophomore wide receiver Rome Odunze — who grew up fishing with his grandfather in Utah — struck out on salmon, but caught a combination of dogfish, rockfish and flounder instead.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 20, 2022

Half her length, she sways her heads in air, outside her horrid cleft, hunting the sea around that promontory for dolphins, dogfish, or what bigger game thundering Amphitrite feeds in thousands.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer