lionfish

American  

[lahy-uhn-fish] / ˈlaɪ ənˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

lionfishes,

plural

lionfish

1. a brightly striped scorpionfish of the genus Pterois, especially P. volitans, of the Indo-Pacific region, having long, flamboyant, venomous spiny fins.

2. an Atlantic scorpionfish, Scorpaena grandicornis.

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lionfish British  

/ ˈlaɪənˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of various scorpion fishes of the tropical Pacific genus Pterois, having a striped body and elongated spiny fins

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Etymology

Origin of lionfish

First recorded in 1905–10; lion + fish

Compare meaning

How does lionfish compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• scorpionfish vs. lionfish

Example Sentences

Higher temperatures in the Adriatic Sea are encouraging invasive species such as the poisonous lionfish, while also causing further stress on alpine glaciers that are already shrinking at record rates.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2025

They turn their noses up at baited lines, so the next best option is spearfishing with scuba gear, which means one lionfish at a time.

From National Geographic • Jan. 29, 2024

Once confined to Indo-Pacific waters, lionfish first appeared in the Atlantic in the mid-eighties.

From National Geographic • Jan. 29, 2024

"In many cases, restaurants are scared to pay the divers a premium for the lionfish because they may not sell," Alex said.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2023

While Alex doesn't believe that we can ever eradicate lionfish from our waters, these massive sweeps help to keep the ecosystem around Destin-Fort Walton Beach manageable for the other marine species.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2023