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

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

“You just feel like something’s being torn away,” said David Guppy, who lives in the area.

From New York Times