Definition

A small fish found in coastal waters of California and Mexico that comes ashore to lay its eggs during high tides, especially in spring and summer.

Example

Every spring, the grunion come to the beach to spawn under the moonlight.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the grunion?

Yeah, I think they come ashore to spawn at night, right?

Exactly! It's such a unique sight to see them on the beach.

I would love to watch that happen one day!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'grunion' originates from American Spanish 'grunión', which refers to a type of fish known for its unique spawning behavior. The term is used specifically to describe the California grunion, a small fish that comes ashore to lay its eggs in the sand.

Memory Tip

Think of the Spanish word 'grunión' for this fish, which helps you remember that a grunion is a specific type of fish known for its unusual spawning habits.

Visually Confused Words