noun
silverfish
SIL-ver-fish/ˈsɪlvərfɪʃ/
A small wingless household insect with silvery scales.
A silverfish slips under the bathroom cabinet when I turn on the light.
Etymology
The words for “silver” and “fish” originally formed a name for silver-colored fish. The same compound later became a name for the silvery household insect.
In context
silverfish will eat things like flour oats and dried meat three they leave behind stains and skin
More examples
- We often find silverfish in the damp basement.
- Silverfish can damage old books by feeding on paper and glue.
- The silverfish has a narrow body covered in silvery scales.
Forms
silverfish · silverfishes