flatfish

American  

[flat-fish] / ˈflætˌfɪʃ /

noun

flatfishes plural

1. any fish of the order Heterosomata (Pleuronectiformes), including the halibut, sole, flounder, etc., having a greatly compressed body and swimming on one side, with both eyes on the upper side in the adult.

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flatfish British  

/ ˈflætˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any marine spiny-finned fish of the order Heterosomata , including the halibut, plaice, turbot, and sole, all of which (when adult) swim along the sea floor on one side of the body, which is highly compressed and has both eyes on the uppermost side

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• flatfishes
  plural
• flatfish
  plural

Etymology

Origin of flatfish

First recorded in 1700–10; flat ¹ + fish

Example Sentences

But other fish — such as Arctic cod, capelin and flatfish — evolved to thrive in this environment, with the cold pool serving as a protective barrier.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2021

The region is also known as a playground for aquatic species such as worms, flatfish and shellfish, and as a home or resting spot for dozens of species of birds.

From Washington Post • Aug. 12, 2021

In winter, as much as half their diet is coho and chum, and even a little steelhead and some lingcod, skate or flatfish.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2019

Fluke often is confused with flounder, another bottom-dwelling flatfish, and there is not too much of a culinary difference between the two.

From Washington Times • Mar. 17, 2018

Heavy dark brows shadowed them, standing far apart, separated by the broad flatfish nose, the nostrils of which stood so widely open as to cause a protuberance on each side.

From The White Chief A Legend of Northern Mexico by Evans, L.