butterfly fish
noun
1
: any of a family (Chaetodontidae) of small brilliantly colored bony fishes of tropical seas with a narrow deep body and scaled fins
2
: a small brown freshwater bony fish (Pantodon buchholzi of the family Pantodontidae) of western Africa that has elongate winglike pectoral fins
Examples of butterfly fish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In return for the safety of a home, the clownfish wards off potential predators, such as butterfly fish.
—
Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
After lunch, Earle drifted through the museum, noting lava-lamp-like jellies, filigreed basket stars, and butterfly fish, which mate for life.
—Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022
It’s not uncommon to also see red pencil sea urchins, butterfly fish and moray eels.
—Sarah Sekula, USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2020
During the dive, sea turtles—honu in Hawaiian—relax, swim nearby and enjoy a visit to butterfly fish and other reef fish that eat the algae off of their shells.
—Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 June 2020
Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
After lunch, Earle drifted through the museum, noting lava-lamp-like jellies, filigreed basket stars, and butterfly fish, which mate for life.
—Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022
It’s not uncommon to also see red pencil sea urchins, butterfly fish and moray eels.
—Sarah Sekula, USA TODAY, 23 Aug. 2020
During the dive, sea turtles—honu in Hawaiian—relax, swim nearby and enjoy a visit to butterfly fish and other reef fish that eat the algae off of their shells.
—Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 June 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'butterfly fish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1931, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Dictionary Entries Near butterfly fish
Cite this Entry
“Butterfly fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly%20fish. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
butterfly fish
noun
: any of various fishes having spots or stripes of several colors, broad fins, or both
More from Merriam-Webster on butterfly fish
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about butterfly fish
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