fishwife

[ fish-wahyf ]

noun

, plural fish·wives.

1. a woman who sells fish.
2. a coarse-mannered, vulgar-tongued woman.

fishwife

/ ˈfɪʃˌwaɪf /

noun

1. a woman who sells fish
2. a coarse scolding woman

Derived Forms

• ˈfishˌwifely, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fishwife¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, fishwife is from the late Middle English word fisshwyf. See fish, wife

Example Sentences

Alloa-born artist David Allan created drawings of ordinary people going about their daily lives in Edinburgh, including soldiers, coalmen, fishwives, sedan chair porters, firemen and officers of the city guard.

From BBC

“I’m not a very loyal fishwife,” she tells Lu when they meet, then proves it.

From New York Times

In addition to Brecht’s typical didacticism, there is a haunting passage for a fishwife whose son died in one of Lucullus’s campaigns.

From New York Times

There is nothing sentimental in the depiction of fishwives in several paintings, and “Wreck of the Iron Crown” illustrates the dangers of the harsh environment in which fishermen strove for a living and drowned.

From Washington Post

Mrs. van D. wheeled around and gave me a tongue-lashing: hard, Germanic, mean and vulgar, exactly like some fat, red-faced fishwife.

From Literature