Definition

A type of fish that is a migratory form of rainbow trout, known for its silvery sides and ability to live in both fresh and saltwater.

Example

The steelhead swam upstream to spawn in the river.

Conversation

Did you hear about the big catch at the lake last weekend?

Yeah, they said someone caught a huge steelhead!

I wonder how they managed to reel it in so easily.

Probably had the right bait; those steelhead can be tricky sometimes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Steelhead → The word is formed from "steel" (from Old English *stæle*, meaning a hard, strong metal) and "head" (from Old English *heafod*, meaning the upper part of the body or a leader). The term "steelhead" refers to a type of fish known for its strong, metallic sheen, resembling steel, particularly in its head region.

Memory Tip

Think of the strong, shiny metal 'steel' and the 'head' of the fish, which gives 'steelhead' its name as a fish that looks like it has a steel-like head.

Visually Confused Words