barracuda

/ˈbɛrəˌkudə/

/bɑrəˈkudə/

Other forms: barracudas

A barracuda is a big, long fish with very sharp teeth. If a scary-looking fanged fish swims in your direction when you're snorkeling in the tropics, you might want to paddle in the opposite direction as you yell, "Barracuda!"

Humans are typically more dangerous to barracudas than the other way around, since they're popular as food. However, they are large enough that they've been known to bite swimmers, probably mistaking them for prey. Barracudas mainly live in very warm, tropical water, near coral reefs and tall sea grasses. We know this word dates from the seventeenth century from American Spanish, but beyond that its origin is a mystery.

Definitions of barracuda

1. noun

   any voracious marine fish of the genus Sphyraena having an elongated cylindrical body and large mouth with projecting lower jaw and long strong teeth
   types:

   Sphyraena barracuda, great barracuda

   large (up to 6 ft) greyish-brown barracuda highly regarded as a food and sport fish; may be dangerous to swimmers

   type of:

   acanthopterygian, spiny-finned fish

   a teleost fish with fins that are supported by sharp inflexible rays