platy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈplā-tē How to pronounce platy (audio)
: resembling a plate
also : consisting of plates or flaky layers
—used chiefly of soil or mineral formations

platy

2 of 2

noun

ˈpla-tē How to pronounce platy (audio)
variants or less commonly platyfish
ˈpla-tē-ˌfish How to pronounce platy (audio)
plural platy or platys or platies also platyfish or platyfishes
: either of two tropical American freshwater live-bearers (Xiphophorus maculatus and X. variatus) that have a highly variable often brilliant color and are popular aquarium fishes

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin Platypoecilus, former genus name of the fish

First Known Use

Adjective

1539, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of platy was in 1539

Rhymes for platy

See All Rhymes for platy

Browse Nearby Words

platty
platy
platybasic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Platy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platy. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

platy

noun
ˈplat-ē
plural platy or platys or platies
: either of two small freshwater fish that are often kept in tropical aquariums and are noted for their varied and brilliant colors

More from Merriam-Webster on platy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about platy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
pastel colored puzzle piece speech bubbles with shadows
Quiz: Find the Missing Link Figure out the word that fits both halves of the ...
See All