shark

1
[ shahrk ]
See synonyms for shark on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. any of a group of elongate elasmobranch, mostly marine fishes, certain species of which are large, voracious, and sometimes dangerous to humans.

Idioms about shark

  1. jump the shark, Informal. to begin a decline in quality, popularity, relevance, etc., after reaching a peak: Some TV shows have jumped the shark once a popular cast member left the show.

Origin of shark

1
First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Other words from shark

  • sharklike, adjective

Other definitions for shark (2 of 2)

shark2
[ shahrk ]

noun
  1. a person who preys greedily on others, as by cheating or usury.

  2. Informal. a person who has unusual ability in a particular field.

verb (used with object)
  1. Archaic. to obtain by trickery or fraud; steal.

verb (used without object)
  1. Archaic. to live by shifts and stratagems.

Origin of shark

2
1590–1600; <German dialect Schork, variant of Schurke rascal

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

British Dictionary definitions for shark (1 of 2)

shark1

/ (ʃɑːk) /


noun
  1. any of various usually ferocious selachian fishes, typically marine with a long body, two dorsal fins, rows of sharp teeth, and between five and seven gill slits on each side of the head

Origin of shark

1
C16: of uncertain origin

Derived forms of shark

  • sharklike, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for shark (2 of 2)

shark2

/ (ʃɑːk) /


noun
  1. a person who preys on or victimizes others, esp by swindling or extortion

verb
  1. archaic to obtain (something) by cheating or deception

Origin of shark

2
C18: probably from German Schurke rogue; perhaps also influenced by shark 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012