sunfish — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Any of various small freshwater fishes of the family Centrarchidae, often with iridescent colours and having a laterally compressed body.

2. Any of various large marine fishes of the family Molidae that have an oval compressed body.

Verb

1. Of an animal such as a bull or a horse: to twist the body into a crescent shape and roll back and forth.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

Noun

1. the lean flesh of any of numerous American perch-like fishes of the family Centrarchidae

   Broader terms

   freshwater fish

2. among the largest bony fish; pelagic fish having an oval compressed body with high dorsal and anal fins and caudal fin reduced to a rudder-like lobe; worldwide in warm waters

   Synonyms

   ocean sunfishmolaheadfish

   Broader terms

   plectognathplectognath fish

3. small carnivorous freshwater percoid fishes of North America usually having a laterally compressed body and metallic luster: crappies, black bass, bluegills, pumpkinseed

   Synonyms

   centrarchid

   Broader terms

   percoid fishpercoidpercoidean