flying fish

noun

1. any fish of the family Exocoetidae, having stiff and greatly enlarged pectoral fins enabling it to glide considerable distances through the air after leaping from the water.
2. Flying Fish, Astronomy. the constellation Volans.

flying fish

noun

1. any marine teleost fish of the family Exocoetidae , common in warm and tropical seas, having enlarged winglike pectoral fins used for gliding above the surface of the water

Word History and Origins

Origin of flying fish¹

First recorded in 1505–15

Example Sentences

With no smartphone to scroll, she tried to find something to enjoy in the glossy pages — an article about flying fishes, the horoscopes, a feature on male yeast infections.

From Los Angeles Times

When writing about nature — the moonlight on the water, the vicious storms, the silvery flying fish she watches with rapt amazement — Heywood is at her best.

From Los Angeles Times

In the distance now and then I would see dolphins; closer in, flying fish; and still closer, at the stern, sharks waiting for the daily garbage from the galley.

From Literature

Even on a good day, strong waves on the azure seas toss around tiny fishing boats hoping to hook some of the islanders' favourite flying fish.

From BBC

In the darkness, the wind picked up and flying fish jumped into their dinghy, according to Mr. Rodriguez’s account.

From New York Times