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Synonyms

shark

1 American  
[shahrk] / ʃɑrk /

noun

  1. any of a group of elongate elasmobranch, mostly marine fishes, certain species of which are large, voracious, and sometimes dangerous to humans.

idioms

  1. jump the shark, to begin a decline in quality, popularity, relevance, etc., after reaching a peak.

    Some TV shows have jumped the shark once a popular cast member left the show.
shark 2 American  
[shahrk] / ʃɑrk /

noun

  1. a person who preys greedily on others, as by cheating or usury.

  2. Informal. a person who has unusual ability in a particular field.

verb (used with object)

  1. Archaic. to obtain by trickery or fraud; steal.

verb (used without object)

  1. Archaic. to live by shifts and stratagems.

shark 1 British  
/ ʃɑːk /

noun

  1. a person who preys on or victimizes others, esp by swindling or extortion

"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

verb

  1. archaic to obtain (something) by cheating or deception

"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
shark 2 British  
/ ʃɑːk /

noun

  1. any of various usually ferocious selachian fishes, typically marine with a long body, two dorsal fins, rows of sharp teeth, and between five and seven gill slits on each side of the head

"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

Other Word Forms

  • sharklike adjective

Etymology

Origin of shark1

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Origin of shark2

1590–1600; < German dialect Schork, variant of Schurke rascal

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.

“These companies, they’re like a shark, they have to keep moving,” said Christopher Whalen of the credit-markets research and advisory firm Whalen Global Advisors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

He expects more shark sightings in the coming weeks as the Southland, which is currently experiencing the hottest March on record, is seeing unseasonably warm waters.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The young shark measured about 210 cm in length and weighed roughly 80-90 kg.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

Meanwhile, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, compared the terms of student loans "to something that a loan shark would offer".

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Chicken gasped when he saw a papier-mâché hammerhead topping an arrangement of shark books.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.