shark

B1 Topic:Animals

US /ʃɑːrk/ UK /ʃɑːk/ See IPA manual

Freq #3618

Meanings

1

noun
a mostly marine fish with a cartilaginous skeleton, rough skin, and several rows of teeth

A reef shark glided beneath the divers without approaching them.
2

noun
informal and disapproving: a dishonest or ruthless person who exploits others

The landlord was a shark who exploited tenants with hidden fees.
3

noun
informal: a person who is exceptionally skilled at a game or activity

By sixteen, she was already a shark at tournament chess.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · informal and disapproving:... swindler cheatracketeerpredator

3 noun · informal: a person who is... expert ace master

Word family

Forms sharks

Derived forms sharklike

Related forms dogfishrayloan sharkcard shark

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

shark attack
an incident in which a shark tries to injure a person or animal

Noun + noun

Idioms (1)

See all

jump the shark
to reach the point of absurd decline, past which a product or franchise loses credibility

Simplified etymology

The origin of shark as the name of the fish is unknown. Shark as used in loan shark may derive from German Schurke, meaning “worthless rogue,” under the influence of the fish name.

Etymology

The fish name is attested in Middle English, but its origin is uncertain. The separate figurative word for an exploitative person probably reflects German Schurke 'scoundrel'; the later 'expert' sense developed from that noun.

Topics

Animals Register & Style

External links

# shark

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ʃɑːrk/
**IPA (UK):** /ʃɑːk/
**Frequency rank:** 3618

## Meanings
1. a mostly marine fish with a cartilaginous skeleton, rough skin, and several rows of teeth
2. informal and disapproving: a dishonest or ruthless person who exploits others
3. informal: a person who is exceptionally skilled at a game or activity

## Examples
- A reef shark glided beneath the divers without approaching them.
- The landlord was a shark who exploited tenants with hidden fees.
- By sixteen, she was already a shark at tournament chess.

## Synonyms
- swindler
- cheat
- racketeer
- expert
- ace
- master

## Derived Forms
- sharklike

## Related Forms
- dogfish
- ray
- loan shark
- card shark

## Etymology
The fish name is attested in Middle English, but its origin is uncertain. The separate figurative word for an exploitative person probably reflects German Schurke 'scoundrel'; the later 'expert' sense developed from that noun.

## Topics
- Animals
- Register & Style

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