guppy

[ guhp-ee ]

noun

, plural gup·pies.

1. a small, freshwater topminnow, Poecilia reticulata, often kept in aquariums.

guppy

/ ˈɡʌpɪ /

noun

1. a small brightly coloured freshwater viviparous cyprinodont fish, Lebistes reticulatus, of N South America and the Caribbean: a popular aquarium fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of guppy¹

Named after R.J.L. Guppy (1836–1916) of Trinidad, who presented specimens to the British Museum; catalogued under the New Latin name Gerardinus guppyi in 1866

Word History and Origins

Origin of guppy¹

C20: named after R. J. L. Guppy, 19th-century clergyman of Trinidad who first presented specimens to the British Museum

Example Sentences

This behavior occurs across a range of animals, from guppies to gazelles.

From Scientific American

The researchers in Denmark identified 49 different kinds of animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish – even guppies in a pond.

From NewsForKids.net

He ambled up to a fish tank and gnawed on a container of guppy food.

From New York Times

But I felt like I was a little guppy taken from a small aquarium and put into a big tank.

From Los Angeles Times

Like I’m just the whitest, translucent little guppy human being.

From Los Angeles Times