dolphin

/'dɔlfin/

Thân thiện

A dolphin leaps playfully out of the ocean waves.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A marine mammal: A dolphin is a highly intelligent, aquatic mammal belonging to the family Delphinidae. It is characterized by a streamlined body, a beak-like snout, and a curved dorsal fin. Dolphins are known for their playful behavior, complex social structures, and use of echolocation for navigation and hunting.
   • A type of fish: In some contexts, "dolphin" can also refer to a large, fast-swimming fish (Coryphaena hippurus), also known as mahi-mahi or dorado, which is popular as a food and game fish in warm seas.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Mammal):
  • We saw a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the boat.
  • The dolphin is known for its remarkable intelligence and communication skills.
• Noun (Fish):
  • The fishermen caught a beautiful, iridescent dolphin off the coast of Hawaii.
  • Grilled dolphin is a delicacy in many coastal regions.

Advanced Usage

• "Dolphin-friendly": A term used to describe tuna fishing practices that do not harm or kill dolphins.
  • Consumers are encouraged to buy dolphin-friendly tuna.
• "Dolphinarium": A facility where dolphins are kept in captivity for public display and performances.
  • The ethics of keeping dolphins in a dolphinarium are often debated.

Variants and Related Words

• Dolphinarium (n): An aquarium for dolphins.
• Dolphin-safe (adj): Certified as caught using methods that minimize harm to dolphins.

Synonyms

• Porpoise (n): A related, smaller marine mammal with a blunt snout. (Note: "Dolphin" and "porpoise" are different, though often confused.)
• Mahi-mahi (n): The Hawaiian name for the dolphinfish, used to avoid confusion with the mammal.

Related Phrases

• "Dolphin kick": A powerful swimming technique used in human swimming, particularly in the butterfly stroke, mimicking the motion of a dolphin's tail.
  • The swimmer's strong dolphin kick gave her an advantage in the race.
• "Dolphin dive": A surface diving technique.
  • He used a dolphin dive to retrieve the object from the seabed.

Related Idioms

• "Like a dolphin in water": To be in one's element; to be perfectly suited to a situation.
  • She took to the new software like a dolphin in water.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any of various small toothed whales with a beaklike snout; larger than porpoises
2. large slender food and game fish widely distributed in warm seas (especially around Hawaii)

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dolphinfish
• mahimahi