dolphin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, with specialised registers in biology and sports contexts.
Quick answer
What does “dolphin” mean?
A highly intelligent, marine mammal with a streamlined body, beaklike snout, and a curved dorsal fin, known for its social behaviour and communication skills.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly intelligent, marine mammal with a streamlined body, beaklike snout, and a curved dorsal fin, known for its social behaviour and communication skills.
Used metaphorically to refer to a type of formation in American football where players leap over the line of scrimmage; historically, a type of mooring post or a structure projecting from a pier; also a heraldic symbol.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. The American football usage is exclusively American.
Connotations
Largely identical positive connotations of intelligence and playfulness.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to sports media and geographical access (e.g., Florida, California).
Grammar
How to Use “dolphin” in a Sentence
see a dolphinobserve the dolphinsthe dolphins swim/jump/communicateprotect the dolphins from [threat]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dolphin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The submarine began to dolphin through the waves.
American English
- The receiver managed to dolphin over the defensive line.
adjective
British English
- They admired the dolphin-like agility of the gymnast.
American English
- The resort's main attraction is its dolphin interaction program.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In tourism: 'dolphin-watching tours', 'dolphin-friendly tuna'.
Academic
In marine biology/zoology: 'The cognitive abilities of the Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin) were studied.'
Everyday
Talking about animals seen on holiday or at an aquarium.
Technical
In sonar/engineering: 'dolphin (structure)' for marine pilings; in sports: 'The player executed a perfect dolphin leap.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dolphin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dolphin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dolphin”
- Using 'dolphin' and 'porpoise' interchangeably in scientific contexts.
- Misspelling as 'dolfin' or 'dolphine'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They are different families of cetaceans. Dolphins generally have beak-like snouts and curved dorsal fins, while porpoises have blunt snouts and triangular dorsal fins.
Yes, though rare. It can mean to leap or plunge like a dolphin, a usage seen in literary or sporting contexts.
It is a label on tuna products indicating that fishing methods were used that avoid encircling dolphins with nets, as dolphins often swim near tuna.
Yes. The American football team is named after the dolphin, a fish common in Florida waters. The mascot is a bottlenose dolphin.
A highly intelligent, marine mammal with a streamlined body, beaklike snout, and a curved dorsal fin, known for its social behaviour and communication skills.
Dolphin is usually neutral, with specialised registers in biology and sports contexts. in register.
Dolphin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒlfɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɑːlfɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare] Like a dolphin in the desert (meaning completely out of place).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Dolphins are often seen DOLing out FIN slaps on the water's surface. (DOL + FIN)
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLIGENCE IS AQUATIC AGILITY (e.g., 'She moved through the data with dolphin-like grace.').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a correct technical distinction?