marlin
noun
any large, saltwater game fish of the genera Makaira and Tetrapterus, having the upper jaw elongated into a spearlike structure.
marlin
1 American
[mahr-lin]
/ ˈmɑr lɪn /
noun
-
marlin,
plural
-
marlins
plural
Marlin
2
American
[mahr-lin]
/ ˈmɑr lɪn /
noun
marlin
British
/ ˈmɑːlɪn /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of marlin
1915–20, short for marlinespike
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
His passion is fishing — Bagby dreams of reeling in a deep-sea marlin — but no hobby can nourish his soul as much as helping others.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2025
At the Oistins Fish Market in Bridgetown, flying fish are still available, along with marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna, though only a handful of stalls are open.
From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2024
"We found that the attacking marlin 'lit up' and became much brighter than its group-mates as it made its attack before rapidly returning to its 'non-bright' coloration after its attack ended."
From Science Daily ● Feb. 26, 2024
For decades, Wild Oceans focused its efforts on tuna, marlin, swordfish, and sharks—in other words, big fish.
From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2024
It could have been a marlin or a broadbill or a shark.
From "The Old Man and The Sea" by Ernest Hemingway
Pastor Marlin, 57, said the Protestant synod also helps in cases of violence against women and children "if the victims speak up".
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
Without fail, the miniature version of me would blubber at Sully the polka dot monster reuniting with Boo, and Marlin the clownfish traversing the ocean to find his son.
From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026
Had it been a Steller, the boat would have capsized, Marlin said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026
“We are pleased to confirm that all crew on board the Marlin Luanda are safe and the fire in the cargo tank has been fully extinguished,” Trafigura said.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 27, 2024
He heard their squawking and watched them circle low, angling for scraps, while Marlin Teneskold or William Gjovaag shot at them with a side-by-side so that the gulls settled out on the water.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
For example, they want to find out whether marlins use their color-changing abilities in other contexts.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 26, 2024
Huge marlins were a bit disconcerting, Harrison admits, since the team had heard the fish had a proclivity for trying to poke holes in boats with their spearlike bills.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 23, 2022
The sailors have enjoyed seeing dolphins, turtles and marlins and, for three weeks, they did not see another boat.
From BBC ● May 1, 2021
Foster, who chose teaching so that he could fish in the summers and carry on his father’s business on Hatteras, remains under the spell of marlins.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 10, 2020
Fish gathered to look at us—a school of barracudas, some curious marlins.
From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan
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