shark

¹

[shahrk]

noun

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

shark

²

[shahrk]

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

/ ʃɑːk /

noun

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

verb

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

shark

²

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• sharklike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shark¹

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Origin of shark²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of shark¹

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

Origin of shark²

C16: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

Among the shark’s most extraordinary features is its ability to glow.

Read more on Science Daily

Seals gather here, and the sharks supposedly come here to feast on the seals.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He's been a surfer for 50 years and, in that time, he says he rarely thought about sharks.

Read more on BBC

It was not immediately clear what species of shark was involved.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This week's victims ate meals that included soy sauce chicken, fried tofu, vegetables and fruit – but past poisoning incidents have been linked to expired sauce and, in one case, the serving of fried shark.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• astute 
• cagey 
• canny 
• crafty 
• farsighted 
• ingenious 
• judicious 
• keen 
• penetrating 
• perceptive 
• probing 
• prudent 
• sensible 
• sharp 
• slick 
• sly 
• smart 
• wily 
• wise