koi

American  

[koi] / kɔɪ /

noun

1. any of various colorful cultivated forms of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, apparently originating in Japan and other parts of eastern temperate Asia.

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koi British  

/ kɔɪ /

noun

1. any of various ornamental forms of the common carp

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Etymology

Origin of koi

1720–30; < Japanese, earlier kowi < kofi, Old Japanese kwofi < *kwopi carp

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Explanation

Koi are a brightly colored version of carp, the large freshwater fish. The big orange-and-white striped fish swimming under the footbridge in a park or botanical garden are koi. Wild koi are found in lakes and rivers of East Asia, but most of these fish are domesticated, kept in ponds so people can admire their beautiful colors. The tradition of breeding koi to be bigger, fancier, and brighter started in 19th-century Japan. They can grow as long as three feet, and they come in dozens of colors. The Japanese koi, or "carp," is a homophone for a word meaning "love," and they've come to symbolize love and friendship.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

koi

These adaptable lizards live in cities across South and South East Asia and will take whatever food is available, such as catfish and koi.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

On the grounds, there’s a bocce court, a koi pond and a pool.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

The extraordinary sanctuary offers a “fully private backyard paradise,” the listing states, complete with an al fresco kitchen, fire pit, and tranquil koi pond.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

Four heat exchangers are submerged in the 1.7 metre deep water, which is also home to dozens of koi carp and tench – fish that have their own role in the operation.

From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2025

Maybe Frank was concentrating, though it was impossible to tell, since koi don’t have many expressions.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

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