parrotfish

noun

par·​rot·​fish ˈper-ət-ˌfish How to pronounce parrotfish (audio)
ˈpa-rət-
variants or parrot fish
: any of a family (Scaridae) of usually brightly colored chiefly tropical marine fishes that have the teeth in each jaw fused into a cutting plate resembling a beak

Examples of parrotfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What a treasure trove of fish, like parrotfish, sergeant major, and trumpet fish. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026 Hundreds of striped angelfish and iridescent parrotfish schooled through the water in rippling clouds, scales flashing. — Julie Orringer, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026 Slip beneath the surface to swim past parrotfish, brain coral, and shipwrecks along the Maritime Heritage Trail. — Outside, 15 Jan. 2026 Here divers can cruise over the top of a wall, mingling with groups of grey, white tip and black tip reef sharks, as well as parrotfish and barracuda at a beginner-friendly 60ft. — Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parrotfish

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parrotfish was in 1712

Rhymes for parrotfish

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Browse Nearby Words

parrot finch
parrotfish
parrot green
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parrotfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parrotfish. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

parrot fish

noun
: any of various sea fishes that are related to the perches and have the teeth united into a cutting plate resembling a beak
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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