dorsal fin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical
Quick answer
What does “dorsal fin” mean?
The fin located on the back of a fish or aquatic animal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The fin located on the back of a fish or aquatic animal.
May refer to similar stabilizing structures in other contexts, such as in aircraft or submarines, but primarily biological.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Same in both variants.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general language, but common in technical contexts like biology.
Grammar
How to Use “dorsal fin” in a Sentence
[animal]'s dorsal finthe dorsal fin of [animal]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in industries like fishing or marine tourism.
Academic
Common in biology, marine science, and zoology texts.
Everyday
Occasionally used in contexts like wildlife documentaries or fishing.
Technical
Standard term in ichthyology and marine biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dorsal fin”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dorsal fin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dorsal fin”
- Mispronouncing 'dorsal' as /dɔːrˈsæl/ or confusing it with 'dorsal' meaning related to the back in anatomy.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most fish have dorsal fins, but some species may have reduced or absent dorsal fins.
The dorsal fin primarily provides stability; other fins like the caudal fin are used for propulsion.
A sail is a similar structure but often refers to the dorsal fin of certain fish like sailfish, which is large and sail-like.
No, dorsal fins vary in shape across species, from triangular to curved or even elongated.
The fin located on the back of a fish or aquatic animal.
Dorsal fin is usually technical in register.
Dorsal fin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːsəl fɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːrsəl fɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'dorsal' as 'door' to the 'back' fin, since 'dorsal' means back.
Conceptual Metaphor
Rarely used metaphorically to describe something that protrudes or is a distinctive feature.
Practice
Quiz
What is the main purpose of a dorsal fin?