piranha

[ pi-rahn-yuh, -ran-or, often, -rah-nuh, -ran-uh ]

noun

, plural pi·ra·nhas, (especially collectively) pi·ra·nha.

1. any of several small South American freshwater fishes of the genus Serrasalmus that eat other fish and sometimes plants but occasionally also attack humans and other large animals that enter the water.

piranha

/ pɪˈrɑːnjə /

noun

1. any of various small freshwater voracious fishes of the genus Serrasalmus and related genera, of tropical America, having strong jaws and sharp teeth: family Characidae (characins)

Word History and Origins

Origin of piranha¹

1865–70; < Portuguese < Tupi

Word History and Origins

Origin of piranha¹

C19: via Portuguese from Tupi: fish with teeth, from pirá fish + sainha tooth

Example Sentences

“I would be a figment of people’s imagination at this point if she didn’t guard me and keep me away from every potential Me Too moment, every piranha that was out there waiting to get their teeth into this young blood,” she said.

From Washington Post

Changing wind speeds, various terrain obstacles like Chain Chomps and Piranha Plants and large puddles of water can all ruin your golf game.

From Washington Post

Piranha was a film that far exceeded our expectations in quality and commercial success.

From The Daily Beast

Piranha 3D, the new horror movie by director Alexandre Aja, which marks the big-screen return of the schlocky creature feature.

From The Daily Beast

Piranha 3D is the latest campy monster movie audiences can't help but love.

From The Daily Beast

Killer fish jumping through the screen, the return of Richard Dreyfuss— Piranha 3D has it all.

From The Daily Beast

Killer fish jumping through the screen, the return of Richard Dreyfuss—Piranha 3D has it all.

From The Daily Beast

"But kill that piranha before you try to handle it," she advised seriously.

From Project Gutenberg

And they lunched quite happily on piranha and pacu—which is smaller—and drank water, and for dessert had more piranha.

From Project Gutenberg

The piranha, called also the caribe, is a kind of salmon (Tetragonopterus).

From Project Gutenberg

There are several kinds of piranha, many of which abound in the waters of the Tapajos.

From Project Gutenberg