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

The oarfish has long been referred to as a doomsday fish, a reference that likely stems from Japanese folklore, which considered spotting such a fish a bad omen of natural disasters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2024

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

Scientists don’t know why these oarfish have died and washed ashore.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024

It’s a jarring sight, but oarfish are anything but dangerous.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024

Another possible explanation is that the oarfish got stuck in a current and couldn’t go back down into deeper waters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024