shark

[ shahrk ]

/ ʃɑrk /

noun

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

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Question 1 of 7

What does “vacillate” mean?

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.

to cause to be empty or unoccupied.

to assent tacitly; agree; consent.

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Idioms for shark

jump the shark, Informal. 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.

Origin of shark

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM shark

sharklike, adjective

Words nearby shark

shariʿa, sharia-compliant, sharif, -sharing, sharing economy, shark, shark bell, shark biscuit, shark net, shark patrol, shark repellent

Definition for shark (2 of 2)

shark²

[ shahrk ]

/ ʃɑrk /

noun

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

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

verb (used with object)

Archaic. to obtain by trickery or fraud; steal.

verb (used without object)

Archaic. to live by shifts and stratagems.

Origin of shark

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for shark

Porter was convicted and shortly after sentenced to death by a judge who compared him to a shark in a feeding frenzy.
Wrongly Imprisoned for 15 Years Thanks to an Innocence Project|Jacob Siegel|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her downfall came about, because for a second she forgot that to swim in the shark pool, you have to always act like a shark.
‘Housewife Tycoon’ Took On ‘Mad Men’ NYC Real Estate Market and Won|Vicky Ward|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For humans, Shark Week is just a once-a-year sweeps event for the Discovery Channel.
Shark Deathmatch, Crazy ‘Simpsons’ Couch Gag, and More Viral Videos|Alex Chancey|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, for sharks—and Tracy Jordan—every week is Shark Week.
Shark Deathmatch, Crazy ‘Simpsons’ Couch Gag, and More Viral Videos|Alex Chancey|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Though it appears convincing, the “evidence” presented in these Shark Week documentaries is not real.
Shark Week Is Lying Again: Megalodon Is Definitely Extinct|David Shiffman|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But suppose a shark, like the one you caught, should come after you?
The Motor Boys on the Atlantic|Clarence Young
He was ahead of me, but half way in he met a shark, and came clamoring back to me to be saved.
The Sea Bride|Ben Ames Williams
When they returned from their day's work, they brought back only a shark.
Legends of Ma-ui--a demi god of Polynesia, and of his mother Hina|W. D. Westervelt
Owing to the peculiar shape of its maw a shark can not bite until it turns over.
Under the Ocean to the South Pole|Roy Rockwood
After heaving about twenty minutes the shark was alongside with the head about three feet out of water.
The Flying Bo'sun|Arthur Mason

British Dictionary definitions for shark (1 of 2)

shark¹

/ (ʃɑːk) /

noun

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

Derived forms of shark

sharklike, adjective

Word Origin for shark

C16: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for shark (2 of 2)

shark²

/ (ʃɑːk) /

noun

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

verb

archaic to obtain (something) by cheating or deception

Word Origin for shark

C18: probably from German Schurke rogue; perhaps also influenced by shark 1

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

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WORD OF THE DAY

shark

noun