lionfish

American  

[lahy-uhn-fish] / ˈlaɪ ənˌfɪʃ /

noun

• lionfishes,
  plural
• lionfish
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lionfish
  plural
• lionfishes
  plural

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

See Examples For:

lionfish

Sink down to the depths of the ocean in the Caribbean, where scuba divers can explore alongside a Sandals Resort marine biologist to hunt pesky, invasive lionfish.

From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026

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

With their distinctive spiny ruffs and zebra stripes, lionfish are among the more flamboyant of coral reef fish species.

From National Geographic ● Jan. 29, 2024

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

It's a dangerous combination that could result in lionfish causing grave damage to the delicate balance of life in and around Florida and all the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico.

From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2023