goby

1 of 2

noun

go·​by ˈgō-bē How to pronounce goby (audio)
plural gobies also goby
: any of numerous spiny-finned fishes (family Gobiidae) that usually have the pelvic fins united to form a ventral sucking disk

Illustration of goby

Illustration of goby

go by

2 of 2

verb

went by; gone by; going by; goes by

intransitive verb

: pass sense 3b
as time goes by

Examples of goby 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.
Noun
And this piece by Times staff writer Lila Seidman about a group of biologists saving hundreds of tidewater goby reminded me how cute fish can be. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2025 The shrimp excavates and maintains a burrow in the sand, offering shelter to both itself and the goby. — Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
This does not include viewership on the linear channel (which goes by the same name) on Sunday nights. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025 Demna — who only goes by his first name, as of 2021 — will begin his new role in early July, Gucci owner Kering confirmed to CNN via a press release. — Kati Chitrakorn, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for goby

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin gobius gudgeon, from Greek kōbios

First Known Use

Noun

1769, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goby was in 1508

Browse Nearby Words

goby
go by
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goby. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

goby

noun
go·​by ˈgō-bē How to pronounce goby (audio)
plural gobies also goby
: any of numerous spiny-finned fishes that often have the pelvic fins united to form a sucking disk

More from Merriam-Webster on goby

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about goby

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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