shark

¹

[ shahrk ]

noun

1. any of a group of elongate elasmobranch, mostly marine fishes, certain species of which are large, voracious, and sometimes dangerous to humans.

shark

²

[ shahrk ]

noun

1. a person who preys greedily on others, as by cheating or usury.
2. Informal. a person who has unusual ability in a particular field.

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to obtain by trickery or fraud; steal.

verb (used without object)

1. Archaic. to live by shifts and stratagems.

shark

¹

/ ʃɑːk /

noun

1. a person who preys on or victimizes others, esp by swindling or extortion

verb

1. archaic.
   to obtain (something) by cheating or deception

shark

²

/ ʃɑːk /

noun

1. any of various usually ferocious selachian fishes, typically marine with a long body, two dorsal fins, rows of sharp teeth, and between five and seven gill slits on each side of the head

Derived Forms

• ˈsharkˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• sharklike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shark¹

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Origin of shark²

1590–1600; < German dialect Schork, variant of Schurke rascal

Word History and Origins

Origin of shark¹

C18: probably from German Schurke rogue; perhaps also influenced by shark ¹

Origin of shark²

C16: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. jump the shark, Informal. to begin a decline in quality, popularity, relevance, etc., after reaching a peak:

   Some TV shows have jumped the shark once a popular cast member left the show.

Example Sentences

Only, this being a Ridley Scott movie, he adds an extra element — sharks.

From Los Angeles Times

Others have tried bracelets that emit smells that sharks, theoretically, would find repulsive.

From Los Angeles Times

Lights could prove a non-invasive means of shark restraint, unlike nets or drones, they added.

From BBC

There are "heavily armed gladiators riding a charging rhinoceros" and "wounded men tumbling from boats into the jaws of ravenous sharks" during the nautical battle staged in the flooded pit of the Colosseum.

From BBC

Tornado 1 is like the shark in “Jaws.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charlatan
• con artist
• crook
• hypocrite
• impostor
• rascal
• rogue
• swindler
• trickster