phish

[ fish ]

verb (used without object)
  1. to try to obtain financial or other confidential information from internet users, typically by sending an email that looks as if it is from a legitimate organization, usually a financial institution, but contains a link to a fake website that replicates the real one.

verb (used with object)
  1. to make (someone) a victim in this way: If you've been phished, you should cancel your credit cards immediately.

Origin of phish

1
First recorded in 1995–2000; respelling (influenced by phreak) of fish
  • Sometimes brand spoof .

Other words from phish

  • phisher, noun

Words Nearby phish

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use phish in a sentence