great white shark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2semi-formal to informal, technical (marine biology).
Quick answer
What does “great white shark” mean?
A large, powerful, predatory shark (Carcharodon carcharias) with a white underside and grey back, known for its size and occasional attacks on humans.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, powerful, predatory shark (Carcharodon carcharias) with a white underside and grey back, known for its size and occasional attacks on humans.
A symbol of apex predators, primal fear, oceanic danger, and power; often used metaphorically to represent a dominant, ruthless, or intimidating person or entity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; 'great white' is universal. Pronunciations of 'great' and 'shark' may differ slightly.
Connotations
Similar connotations of danger and fascination in both cultures, heavily influenced by popular media like 'Jaws'.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties when discussing marine life, predators, or metaphors for threat.
Grammar
How to Use “great white shark” in a Sentence
The great white shark [verb: swims/hunts/patrols] the coast.We saw a great white shark [prepositional phrase: off the Cape].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great white shark” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The film 'Jaws' really great-whited the public's imagination.
- (Note: Extremely rare/nonce usage)
American English
- (No standard verb form. Metaphorical use as verb is highly informal/creative: 'He's trying to great-white his way through the competition.')
adverb
British English
- He moved great-white quick through the market, swallowing smaller firms.
American English
- (No standard adverb form; metaphorical use is highly creative and informal.)
adjective
British English
- She has a great-white-shark intensity about her when negotiating.
American English
- That was a great-white level of aggression in the debate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'That corporate raider is a great white shark in the investment world.'
Academic
Used in biology/ecology papers: 'The migratory patterns of Carcharodon carcharias were studied.'
Everyday
Discussed with awe/fear: 'They cancelled the swim due to a great white sighting.'
Technical
Specific zoological descriptions: 'The great white shark possesses ampullae of Lorenzini for electroreception.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great white shark”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great white shark”
- Incorrect: 'great white *fish*'. Correct: 'great white shark'.
- Misspelling: 'great wight shark'.
- Confusing with other species: 'great white shark' is not a 'whale shark'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are not. Most attacks are believed to be investigatory 'sample bites'; humans are not their preferred prey.
Carcharodon carcharias.
Yes, the full common name is 'great white shark', but 'great white' or 'white shark' are also accepted.
Yes, it is often used to describe a person or organization that is dominant, aggressive, and intimidating in its field.
A large, powerful, predatory shark (Carcharodon carcharias) with a white underside and grey back, known for its size and occasional attacks on humans.
Great white shark is usually semi-formal to informal, technical (marine biology). in register.
Great white shark: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈwaɪt ˈʃɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈwaɪt ˈʃɑːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like a great white shark in a goldfish bowl (someone overwhelmingly dominant in a small environment).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GREAT in size, WHITE on its belly, and SHARP (sounds like shark) teeth.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS A PREDATOR; DOMINANCE IS BEING AN APEX PREDATOR; A RUTHLESS PERSON IS A SHARK.
Practice
Quiz
What does the 'white' in 'great white shark' primarily refer to?