marlin

¹ American

[mahr-lin] / ˈmɑr lɪn /

noun

plural

marlin,

plural

marlins

any large, saltwater game fish of the genera Makaira and Tetrapterus, having the upper jaw elongated into a spearlike structure.

Marlin ² American

[mahr-lin] / ˈmɑr lɪn /

noun

a male given name.

marlin British

/ ˈmɑːlɪn /

noun

Also called: spearfish. any of several large scombroid food and game fishes of the genera Makaira, Istiompax, and Tetrapturus, of warm and tropical seas, having a very long upper jaw: family Istiophoridae

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

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

When hunting in groups, individual marlin will take turns attacking schools of prey fish one at a time.

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

There was a black-and-white picture of a much younger Grandpa Sorenson showing off an enormous marlin.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023