oarfish

American  

[awr-fish, ohr-] / ˈɔrˌfɪʃ, ˈoʊr- /

noun

• oarfish,
  plural
• oarfishes
  plural

1. any long, ribbon-shaped, silvery fish of the genus Regalecus, of deep tropical waters, having a red dorsal fin along the spine that rises to a crest, and reaching a length of 30 feet (9 meters).

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oarfish British  

/ ˈɔːˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. Also called: king of the herrings.  a very long ribbonfish, Regalecus glesne, with long slender ventral fins

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• oarfish
  plural
• oarfishes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of oarfish

First recorded in 1855–60; oar + fish

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oarfish

With its long eel-like body, gaping mouth and bright red dorsal fins, it’s no surprise that the oarfish calls to mind a sea monster.

From Slate ● Nov. 22, 2024

The last time a series of oarfish came ashore in California and other parts of the world was over several months in 2013 and 2014.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024

If one oarfish landing on a beach is a sign of a disaster to come, how bad will it be if three wash up in quick succession?

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024

If an oarfish happens to swim up to the ocean’s surface, a sailor would see a long slithering creature with spiky protrusions on its head and could believe it was a sea monster, Paig-Tran said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024

A silvery 10-foot-long creature, the oarfish has fueled fisherman’s tales of sea serpents — and in some cultures has been a portent of natural disasters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024