gourami: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Specific/Hobbyist
Quick answer
What does “gourami” mean?
A small, brightly coloured freshwater fish, originally from Southeast Asia, popular in aquariums.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, brightly coloured freshwater fish, originally from Southeast Asia, popular in aquariums.
Any fish of the families Osphronemidae or Helostomatidae, characterised by a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe air.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the same term.
Connotations
Primarily associated with the aquarium hobby in both regions.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse but known within the fish-keeping community.
Grammar
How to Use “gourami” in a Sentence
[Person] keeps/breeds/feeds [a/the] gourami.The [specific type] gourami is [adjective].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the pet trade and aquarium supply industry.
Academic
Used in zoology, ichthyology, and aquaculture research papers.
Everyday
Used by aquarium hobbyists; otherwise almost never used.
Technical
Standard term for fish in the subfamily Osphroneminae and related groups.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gourami”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gourami”
- Incorrect pluralisation (e.g., 'gouramies' – correct is 'gourami' or 'gouramis').
- Mispronunciation: stressing the second syllable (/ɡʊˈrɑːmi/) is less common in British English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'gourami' can be used for both singular and plural. The form 'gouramis' is also accepted for the plural.
Some species, like the dwarf gourami, are recommended for beginners due to their hardiness, but others can be more sensitive to water conditions.
They are omnivores. In an aquarium, they eat standard flake or pellet food, as well as live or frozen foods like brine shrimp.
They possess a labyrinth organ, a supplementary breathing structure that allows them to take in oxygen from the air above the water's surface, an adaptation for living in oxygen-poor waters.
A small, brightly coloured freshwater fish, originally from Southeast Asia, popular in aquariums.
Gourami is usually technical/specific/hobbyist in register.
Gourami: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʊərəmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʊrəmi/ or /ɡʊˈrɑːmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GO and see my new fish, a GOURAMI' – it sounds like 'gourmet', a fancy fish for your tank.
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining biological feature of gouramis?