shark

[ shahrk ]

/ ʃɑrk /

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See synonyms for: shark / sharked / sharking / sharks on Thesaurus.com

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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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about 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

Other definitions 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. 2023

How to use shark in a sentence

Hundreds of sailors went down with the ship, and hundreds more died in the water, many eaten by sharks.
Giant anchors, wrecked boats and a ‘Liberty’ clock: Inside the storage site for Navy museum|Michael Ruane|November 10, 2020|Washington Post
More and bigger food may have allowed these sharks to get bigger.
Attack of the inner-cannibal mega-shark|Carolyn Gramling|November 10, 2020|Science News For Students
Charlotte also tested some surfaces that had been based on mako shark skins.
Student scientists work to help all of us survive a warmer world|Bethany Brookshire|October 21, 2020|Science News For Students
A megalodon living far enough down to evade human detection might now look something like a sleeper shark—a long, cigar-shaped animal that’s about as lively as it sounds—as opposed to a burly, toothy beast.
Could an ancient megashark still lurk in the deep seas?|By Riley Black|October 15, 2020|Popular-Science

The idea emerged from a study that first analyzed the sizes and shapes of modern and ancient shark teeth, using those data to estimate body sizes of the fish.
Cannibalism in the womb may have helped megalodon sharks become giants|Carolyn Gramling|October 5, 2020|Science News
His hair hung in straight gallows locks about his ears, and added not a little to his sharking demeanor.
Knickerbocker's History of New York, Complete|Washington Irving
At his first coming in, he is a piece of new coin, all sharking old prisoners lie sucking at his purse.
Character Writings of the 17th Century|Various
You shall play no more the sharking foist with me, you fumbling fiddler, you.
A Select Collection of Old English Plays|Robert Dodsley
These dirty sharking traps will always be set, and will always catch silly people, as long as there are any to catch.
The Humbugs of the World|P. T. Barnum

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

shark

Idioms about shark

Origin of shark

OTHER WORDS FROM shark

Other definitions for shark (2 of 2)

Origin of shark

Words related to shark

How to use shark in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for shark (1 of 2)

Derived forms of shark

Word Origin for shark

British Dictionary definitions for shark (2 of 2)

Word Origin for shark