comb jelly: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialist/Biological)Technical/Scientific, occasionally appears in popular science or nature documentaries.
Quick answer
What does “comb jelly” mean?
A marine invertebrate of the phylum Ctenophora, characterized by eight rows of cilia (combs) used for locomotion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A marine invertebrate of the phylum Ctenophora, characterized by eight rows of cilia (combs) used for locomotion.
A gelatinous, often bioluminescent, carnivorous animal that drifts in ocean waters; not a true jellyfish (cnidarian) despite superficial similarities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is standard in scientific English globally.
Connotations
Neutral, scientific. No regional cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both regions, confined to marine biology contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “comb jelly” in a Sentence
The [adj] comb jelly [verb]...[Species name] is a comb jelly that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “comb jelly” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The diver observed a comb jelly pulsating gently in the current.
- Research on comb jellies has revised our understanding of early animal evolution.
American English
- A bloom of comb jellies made the water sparkle at night.
- The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a fascinating exhibit on comb jellies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in marine biology, zoology, and ecology papers.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in aquarium visits or nature documentaries.
Technical
Precise term for organisms in phylum Ctenophora, discussing locomotion, feeding, or phylogeny.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “comb jelly”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “comb jelly”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “comb jelly”
- Calling it a 'jellyfish'. Using plural 'comb jellies' is standard.
- Assuming it stings like a jellyfish (most comb jellies do not have stinging cells).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They belong to different phyla (Ctenophora vs. Cnidaria). Comb jellies lack stinging cells and move using cilia, not pulsations.
Most species cannot sting. Some have sticky cells (colloblasts) to catch prey, but they are generally harmless to humans.
Because of their eight rows of longitudinal ciliary plates, which resemble combs and refract light into shimmering colours.
Many species are, producing blue or green light, but not all. Bioluminescence is common in deep-sea varieties.
A marine invertebrate of the phylum Ctenophora, characterized by eight rows of cilia (combs) used for locomotion.
Comb jelly is usually technical/scientific, occasionally appears in popular science or nature documentaries. in register.
Comb jelly: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊm ˌdʒɛl.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊm ˌdʒɛl.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a jelly that uses tiny combs (rows of cilia) to swim through the sea.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIVING KALEIDOSCOPE (due to iridescent, comb-like rows).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary method of locomotion for a comb jelly?