angelfish

noun

an·​gel·​fish ˈān-jəl-ˌfish How to pronounce angelfish (audio)
1
: any of several laterally compressed brightly colored bony fishes (family Pomacanthidae) of warm seas
2
: a black and silver laterally compressed South American cichlid fish (Pterophyllum scalare) popular in aquariums

called also scalare

Examples of angelfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During a stay, guests can embark on an expedition to nearby El Cielo—a natural sandbar that’s renowned for its stellar snorkeling opportunities—and marvel at native Caribbean wildlife spanning from the gray angelfish to the foureye butterflyfish. — Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 Dive into the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon (Lagoa Azul) to swim with seahorses, ogle underwater coves, and follow a turtle or angelfish through a sunken jungle. — Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of angelfish was in 1613

Rhymes for angelfish

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“Angelfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/angelfish. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

angelfish

noun
an·​gel·​fish ˈān-jəl-ˌfish How to pronounce angelfish (audio)
1
: any of several brightly colored bony fishes that are very thin from side to side and live in warm seas
2
: a similarly thin black and silver South American fish popular in aquariums

More from Merriam-Webster on angelfish

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about angelfish

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