piranha: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-LowBoth formal (biology) and informal (metaphorical)
Quick answer
What does “piranha” mean?
A small, aggressive freshwater fish native to South America, known for its sharp teeth and tendency to feed in frenzied groups.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, aggressive freshwater fish native to South America, known for its sharp teeth and tendency to feed in frenzied groups.
A person or group perceived as aggressively predatory or ruthless, especially in competitive situations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. The metaphorical use may be slightly more frequent in AmE due to cultural media.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties, associated with danger and ferocity.
Frequency
Comparably low frequency in both, appearing in nature contexts or as a vivid metaphor.
Grammar
How to Use “piranha” in a Sentence
N + of piranhas (a school of piranhas)ADJ + piranha (voracious piranha)V + like + a piranha (attack like a piranha)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “piranha” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The documentary showed a piranha attack in slow motion.
- He has a piranha-like business tactic.
American English
- The movie featured a piranha-infested lake.
- She faced a piranha mentality in the sales department.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically to describe cutthroat competitors or a ruthless corporate culture.
Academic
Appears in biological texts discussing ichthyology, ecology, or Amazonian fauna.
Everyday
Used when discussing dangerous animals, horror stories, or describing someone's aggressive behaviour.
Technical
Specific to zoology and freshwater biology, referring to species within the family Serrasalmidae.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “piranha”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “piranha”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “piranha”
- Mispronunciation: /paɪˈrɑːnə/ (pie-ran-ha).
- Incorrect plural: 'piranha' for plural (correct: piranhas).
- Overgeneralising: assuming all piranha species are highly dangerous to humans.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, only a few species are considered a significant threat, and attacks on humans are rare and often exaggerated.
No, 'piranha' is not standardly used as a verb in contemporary English.
It comes from Portuguese, from the Tupi language (indigenous to Brazil) word 'pirá' meaning 'fish' + 'sainha' meaning 'tooth'.
It is strongly negative and can be offensive if directed at a person, implying they are viciously predatory.
A small, aggressive freshwater fish native to South America, known for its sharp teeth and tendency to feed in frenzied groups.
Piranha is usually both formal (biology) and informal (metaphorical) in register.
Piranha: in British English it is pronounced /pɪˈrɑːnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /pɪˈrɑnə/ /pɪˈrænə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like a school of piranhas (describing a group attacking or competing ruthlessly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a PIRANHA in the PANDA's river; the piranha is not friendly but PANIC-inducingly sharp-toothed.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSE COMPETITION/AGGRESSION IS A PIRANHA FEEDING FRENZY.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does it mean to have a 'piranha-like' colleague?