Dictionary.com

swellfish

[ swel-fish ]
/ ˈswɛlˌfɪʃ /
Save This Word!
noun, plural (especially collectively) swell·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) swell·fish·es.
puffer (def. 2).
QUIZ
GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!
Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
cactus
wallet
goat
party
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of swellfish

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10; swell + fish

Words nearby swellfish

swell, swell box, swelled head, swelled-headed, swelled head, have a, swellfish, swell front, swellhead, swelling, swelter, sweltering
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

British Dictionary definitions for swellfish

swellfish
/ (ˈswɛlˌfɪʃ) /
noun plural -fish or -fishes
a popular name for puffer (def. 2)
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
FEEDBACK