Definition

A type of large fish that has a long, flat snout with sharp teeth on the sides, found in warm coastal waters and rivers.

Example

The sawfish swam gracefully through the shallow waters, its distinctive snout cutting through the waves.

Conversation

Did you know that the sawfish is actually a type of ray?

Really? I thought they were just big sharks!

Yeah, they have that long snout with teeth, which is pretty cool.

I’d love to see a sawfish in person; they sound fascinating!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'sawfish' is formed from 'saw' (from Old English 'sagu', meaning a tool for cutting) and 'fish' (from Old English 'fisc', meaning a creature that swims). The term 'sawfish' refers to a type of fish that has a long, saw-like snout used for cutting through the water and hunting.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'tool for cutting' ('saw') combined with a 'swimming creature' ('fish') — that's why a sawfish is a fish with a saw-like snout.

Visually Confused Words