fishes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral
Quick answer
What does “fishes” mean?
Plural form of 'fish', referring to multiple individual fish, especially when referring to different species or types.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Plural form of 'fish', referring to multiple individual fish, especially when referring to different species or types.
Can also function as the third-person singular present tense of the verb 'to fish', meaning to catch fish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use "fish" as the common plural. "Fishes" for multiple species is slightly more common in British academic writing, but the distinction is observed in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, using "fishes" outside of scientific contexts can sound pedantic or old-fashioned.
Frequency
"Fish" as a plural is far more frequent in both UK and US everyday English.
Grammar
How to Use “fishes” in a Sentence
[Subject] fishes [in/for] [object] - e.g., He fishes in the lake.[Subject] studies/collects/observes [number/species] of fishes - e.g., The biologist studies three new fishes.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fishes” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- My uncle fishes for trout in the Scottish lochs every summer.
- She fishes responsibly, always respecting the catch limits.
American English
- He fishes the bass tournaments down in Louisiana.
- My grandpa fishes off the pier every morning before dawn.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in aquaculture or pet trade contexts (e.g., 'We supply ornamental fishes.').
Academic
Common in biological and zoological texts discussing biodiversity or taxonomy.
Everyday
Less common; 'fish' is preferred. Verb form is standard (e.g., 'He fishes every weekend.').
Technical
Standard term in ichthyology for referring to multiple distinct species or individuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fishes”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fishes”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fishes”
- Using 'fishes' as the default plural for any number of fish (use 'fish').
- Misspelling as 'fishes' when the verb is intended (correct).
- Using 'fish' as a verb in 3rd person singular (incorrect: 'he fish' vs correct: 'he fishes').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but only in specific contexts, primarily scientific or formal, when referring to multiple individual fish of different species or types. In general usage, 'fish' is the correct plural.
Use 'fish' for the plural in almost all everyday situations (e.g., 'I saw three fish'). Use 'fishes' when emphasizing individuality or diversity, especially in biology (e.g., 'The lake contains several native fishes').
Yes, absolutely. 'Fishes' is the correct third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'to fish' (e.g., 'She fishes', 'He fishes').
Yes, the distinction is fundamentally the same in both varieties. 'Fishes' for multiple species is a feature of standard English, not a regional variation.
Plural form of 'fish', referring to multiple individual fish, especially when referring to different species or types.
Fishes is usually neutral in register.
Fishes: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪʃɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪʃɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All is fish that comes to his net.”
- “There are plenty more fish in the sea.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"Fishes" has an '-es' ending like 'wishes' or 'dishes' – use it when you're talking about distinct types or individuals, just as you'd count separate dishes.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIVERSITY AS MULTIPLICATION: Using 'fishes' conceptualizes a group as a collection of distinct entities rather than a homogenous mass.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'fishes' used correctly as a noun?