pinfish

[ pin-fish ]

noun

, plural pin·fish·es, (especially collectively) pin·fish.

1. a small fish, Lagodon rhomboides, of the porgy family, inhabiting bays of the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States.

pinfish

/ ˈpɪnˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. a small porgy, Lagodon rhomboides, occurring off the SE North American coast of the Atlantic Also calledsailor's choice

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinfish¹

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; pin + fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinfish¹

so named because it has spines

Example Sentences

When he was 7 and fishing on the coast of Florida, a pinfish flew into his face and pierced the pupil of his right eye, which robbed him of his vision there.

From Washington Post