dolphinfish
noun
dol·phin·fish
ˈdäl-fən-ˌfish 
ˈdȯl-
: either of two colorful, iridescent, saltwater fish (Coryphaena equiselis and C. hippurus of the family Coryphaenidae) that are widely distributed in tropical and temperate seas and have a long laterally compressed body and a deeply forked tail fin
Note: The common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is valued as a food fish and is often called mahi-mahi.
Examples of dolphinfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Here's what is going to protect us instead Download the USA TODAY mobile app
Adult tuna, billfish and dolphinfish are the target catch for the FADS, but juvenile fish, sharks and other species also can get caught up in the catch.
—
Kimberly Miller, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2020
The big fish reeled in Friday was the common dolphinfish, the department said, but this was not a common member of the species, weighing in at 74.5 pounds.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2019
Frashure’s catch has dethroned Jeff Wright’s three-week-old state Atlantic Division record for common dolphinfish, which was 72.8 pounds.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, 20 Aug. 2019
Wright’s catch beat the record held by Kim Lawson, who reeled in a 67.8-pound common dolphinfish in July 1985.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kimberly Miller, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2020
The big fish reeled in Friday was the common dolphinfish, the department said, but this was not a common member of the species, weighing in at 74.5 pounds.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2019
Frashure’s catch has dethroned Jeff Wright’s three-week-old state Atlantic Division record for common dolphinfish, which was 72.8 pounds.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, 20 Aug. 2019
Wright’s catch beat the record held by Kim Lawson, who reeled in a 67.8-pound common dolphinfish in July 1985.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2019
Cite this Entry
“Dolphinfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dolphinfish. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share