cuttlefish

noun

cut·​tle·​fish ˈkə-tᵊl-ˌfish How to pronounce cuttlefish (audio)
: any of various marine cephalopod mollusks (order Sepioidea, especially genus Sepia) having eight short arms and two usually longer tentacles and differing from the related squid in having a calcified internal shell

Illustration of cuttlefish

Illustration of cuttlefish

Examples of cuttlefish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Venders of live cuttlefish and quilted hemp linens in the traditional market. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024 This protection would cover all cephalopod species, including octopus, cuttlefish, and squid. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Ars Technica, 7 Oct. 2023 The state of cephalopod science has prompted the United States National Institutes of Health to consider whether these animals—which also include squid, cuttlefish, and nautiluses—deserve the same research protections as vertebrates. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2023 The common cuttlefish camouflages against a natural background. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 June 2023 Like an octopus, cuttlefish release a cloud of ink when threatened. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023 This cuttlefish can change its skin pattern to blend in with different background environments. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 June 2023 Because the tint comes from a natural source, shades of sepia vary based on the local diets of the cuttlefish and where the pigment was made. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023 Today, researchers are finding signs of REM sleep in a broader array of animals than ever before: in spiders, lizards, cuttlefish, zebrafish. Carolyn Wilke, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cuttlefish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cotul + English fish

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cuttlefish was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near cuttlefish

Cite this Entry

“Cuttlefish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cuttlefish. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cuttlefish

noun
cut·​tle·​fish -ˌfish How to pronounce cuttlefish (audio)
: a marine mollusk having eight short arms and two longer tentacles and differing from the related squid in having an internal shell composed of compounds of calcium

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