remora

American  

[rem-er-uh] / ˈrɛm ər ə /

noun

1. any of several fishes of the family Echeneididae, having on the top of the head a sucking disk by which they can attach themselves to sharks, turtles, ships, and other moving objects.

2. Archaic. an obstacle, hindrance, or obstruction.

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remora British  

/ ˈrɛmərə /

noun

1. any of the marine spiny-finned fishes constituting the family Echeneidae . They have a flattened elongated body and attach themselves to larger fish, rocks, etc, by a sucking disc on the top of the head

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Etymology

Origin of remora

1560–70; < Latin: literally, delay, hindrance, derivative of remorārī to linger, delay, equivalent to re- re- + morārī to delay

Example Sentences

Like a very profitable remora attached to a very large shark.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 9, 2025

Most rays "weren't that bothered" by the cameras Pelletier says, but three individuals breached—jumping clear of the water—potentially an attempt to dislodge the device, like an irritating remora.

From National Geographic • Oct. 23, 2023

Longtime Beltway attention-economy remora Dick Morris, meanwhile, has just weighed in with this marvel:

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2021

Alongside him — remora to his Great White — was the chiseled actor John Kortajarena, guiltlessly popping sweets.

From New York Times • Feb. 27, 2017

We remember Jonson's use of it in the "Poetaster":   "Death, I am seized here   By a land remora; I cannot stir   Nor move, but as he pleases."

From Mediaeval Lore from Bartholomew Anglicus by Steele, Robert