tilefish

noun

tile·​fish ˈtī(-ə)l-ˌfish How to pronounce tilefish (audio)
: any of various marine bony fishes (family Malacanthidae) used as food
especially : a large fish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) of deep waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico with a fleshy appendage on the head and yellow spots on the upper body and some of its fins

Illustration of tilefish

Illustration of tilefish

Examples of tilefish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
However, people should be mindful of mercury in king mackerel, tilefish, swordfish, and shark.14 Omega-3 supplements are recommended for infant visual and brain development during pregnancy and breastfeeding. — Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025 The fish in question was a type of tilefish, deep-sea dwellers found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. — Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

tile- modification of New Latin Lopholatilus

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tilefish was in 1881

Rhymes for tilefish

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Cite this Entry

“Tilefish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tilefish. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tilefish

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