flying fish

noun

1. any fish of the family Exocoetidae, having stiff and greatly enlarged pectoral fins enabling it to glide considerable distances through the air after leaping from the water.
2. Flying Fish, Astronomy. the constellation Volans.

flying fish

noun

1. any marine teleost fish of the family Exocoetidae , common in warm and tropical seas, having enlarged winglike pectoral fins used for gliding above the surface of the water

Word History and Origins

Origin of flying fish¹

First recorded in 1505–15

Example Sentences

The graceful flying-fish, like a fair white bird, goes glancing above the blue magnificence of the tropical seas.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 6th of August we beheld, for the first time, flying fish, but at such a distance that we could scarcely distinguish them.

From Project Gutenberg

"Look out you don't get struck by a flying-fish," his father called to him, bending low in his seat.

From Project Gutenberg

One day they caught half a dozen flying fish, which they ate raw.

From Project Gutenberg

The Sirens resemble mermaids, having the faces of women, but bodies of flying fish.

From Project Gutenberg