Phrase guide

pilot fish

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A marine fish, Naucrates ductor, that often follows large vessels and sharks.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

So called from its having been supposed to guide sharks to their prey.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Asturian: pámpanu — marine fish
  • Asturian: pilotu — marine fish
  • Bulgarian: риба-лоцман (riba-locman) — marine fish
  • Catalan: pàmpol — marine fish
  • French: poisson pilote — marine fish
  • Italian: pesce pilota — marine fish
  • Latin: pompilus — marine fish
  • Portuguese: piloto — marine fish
  • Portuguese: peixe-piloto — marine fish
  • Romanian: pește-pilot — marine fish
  • Russian: ры́ба-ло́цман (rýba-lócman) — marine fish
  • Spanish: pez piloto — marine fish
  • Yiddish: לאָצמאַן (lotsman) — marine fish