silverfish

[ sil-ver-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) sil·ver·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) sil·ver·fish·es.

1. a white or silvery goldfish, Carassius auratus.
2. any of various other silvery fishes, as the tarpon, silversides, or shiner.
3. a wingless, silvery-gray thysanuran insect, Lepisma saccharina, that feeds on starch, damaging books, wallpaper, etc.

silverfish

/ ˈsɪlvəˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. a silver variety of the goldfish Carassius auratus
2. any of various other silvery fishes, such as the moonfish Monodactylus argenteus
3. any of various small primitive wingless insects of the genus Lepisma, esp L. saccharina, that have long antennae and tail appendages and occur in buildings, feeding on food scraps, bookbindings, etc: order Thysanura (bristletails)

Word History and Origins

Origin of silverfish¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; silver + fish

Example Sentences

Silverfish can fit three mountain bikes side by side, wheels and all—and I never have to worry about them getting stolen.

From Outside Online

Rapid fire legs sidestep the etchings of industrious ants while silverfish are the boatmen trouncing human oars.

From Project Gutenberg

"All we ask is that you obey our instructions," returned the silverfish.

From Project Gutenberg

A silverfish then raised its head beside that of the goldfish, and a moment later a bronzefish lifted its head beside the others.

From Project Gutenberg

The one who had been a silverfish had snow-white hair of the finest texture and deep brown eyes.

From Project Gutenberg