oarfish

[ awr-fish, ohr- ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) oar·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) oar·fish·es.

1. any long, ribbon-shaped, silvery fish of the genus Regalecus, of deep tropical waters, having a red dorsal fin along the spine that rises to a crest, and reaching a length of 30 feet (9 meters).

oarfish

/ ˈɔːˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. a very long ribbonfish, Regalecus glesne, with long slender ventral fins Also calledking of the herrings

Word History and Origins

Origin of oarfish¹

First recorded in 1855–60; oar + fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of oarfish¹

C19: referring to the flattened oarlike body

Example Sentences

Anyone in Southern California interested in seeing one up close can visit the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, where an oarfish found in Catalina Island is on display.

From Los Angeles Times

What caused the diesel electric-powered submarine to plummet to such depths, below where giant octopi and oarfish tend to roam, is unclear.

From New York Times

Who wouldn't think, for example, that the giant oarfish, the longest bony fish in the world was some kind serpent?

From BBC

Even though I’ve caught an oarfish a number of times in both New Horizons and New Leaf, my jaw still drops whenever this massively long and narrow fish jumps out of the water.

From Washington Post

A good illustration is the giant oarfish, the world's longest bony fish.

From BBC