lionfish

American  

[lahy-uhn-fish] / ˈlaɪ ənˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

lionfishes,

plural

lionfish

1. a brightly striped scorpionfish of the genus Pterois, especially P. volitans, of the Indo-Pacific region, having long, flamboyant, venomous spiny fins.

2. an Atlantic scorpionfish, Scorpaena grandicornis.

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lionfish British  

/ ˈlaɪənˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of various scorpion fishes of the tropical Pacific genus Pterois, having a striped body and elongated spiny fins

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Etymology

Origin of lionfish

First recorded in 1905–10; lion + fish

Compare meaning

How does lionfish compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• scorpionfish vs. lionfish

Example Sentences

Sink down to the depths of the ocean in the Caribbean, where scuba divers can explore alongside a Sandals Resort marine biologist to hunt pesky, invasive lionfish.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

Higher temperatures in the Adriatic Sea are encouraging invasive species such as the poisonous lionfish, while also causing further stress on alpine glaciers that are already shrinking at record rates.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2025

Genetic testing suggests the entire Atlantic population is descended from 10 lionfish that were released in South Florida.

From National Geographic • Jan. 29, 2024

Florida and some Caribbean countries promote contests to catch and kill as many lionfish as possible—while enterprising restaurants are adding lionfish dishes to their menus. dishes to their menus.

From National Geographic • Jan. 29, 2024

Almost 25,000 lionfish were removed from the coastal ecosystem in preparation for Lionfish Restaurant Week, thanks to the divers who participated in the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2023