kingfish

noun

king·​fish ˈkiŋ-ˌfish How to pronounce kingfish (audio)
1
: any of several marine croakers (family Sciaenidae): such as
a
: any of three fishes (Menticirrhus americanus, M. littoralis, and M. saxatilis) of shallow coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean
b
: a small silvery food and sport fish (Genyonemus lineatus) of inshore waters especially of California

called also white croaker

2
3
: an undisputed master in an area or group

Examples of kingfish in a Sentence

as a kingfish in the state's political circles, he was accustomed to being courted by presidential hopefuls
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.
Farther out in the Gulf waters, offshore trophies such as tuna, kingfish, red snapper, and others prove bountiful game. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2025 The oysters share a menu with only-in-the-Emirates ingredients like khansour, a mountain plant often used in salads, and kingfish from the Arabian Gulf, served ceviche-style. Samantha Wood, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2024 His signature dishes include Nikkei-style local kingfish tataki, grilled seafood with tomato chili vierge sauce, rock lobster carpaccio with yuzu passion fruit sauce, and pineapple coconut cake with rum syrup. Kaila Yu, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 Farther out in the Gulf waters, offshore trophies such as tuna, kingfish, red snapper, and others prove bountiful game. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kingfish

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kingfish was in 1815

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Cite this Entry

“Kingfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kingfish. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

kingfish

noun
king·​fish ˈkiŋ-ˌfish How to pronounce kingfish (audio)
: any of various sea fishes (as a king mackerel)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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