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

"It's an event for anyone who would like advice about money, whether that's general budgeting help, or advice on specific issues like problems with gambling, dealing with loan sharks and how to protect from scams."

Read more on BBC

Australians are so used to swimming with sharks that when a crocodile slipped into a luxury hotel pool in Queensland, no one raised an eyebrow.

Read more on Barron's

It reminds me of Cape Cod—minus the Great White sharks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Even real estate mogul and “Shark Tank” shark Barbara Corcoran flexed her muscles with the post, “How it feels waking up in Group 7.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A semi-transparent crab about the size of an almond and a tiny, glowing lantern shark are among two new species discovered by Australian scientists exploring the deep sea.

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