Definition

1. Noun:
   • The activity or business of catching fish: "Fishing" refers to the act of trying to catch fish, either as a recreational activity or as a commercial occupation.
   • The industry or occupation of catching fish for a living: It also denotes the business or profession of harvesting fish and other aquatic life.

Usage

• As a noun (activity): "Fishing" is used to describe the leisure activity of catching fish.
  • We went fishing at the lake last weekend.
  • He finds fishing to be very relaxing.
• As a noun (occupation/industry): "Fishing" is used to refer to the commercial enterprise of catching fish.
  • Fishing is the main industry in many coastal towns.
  • The new regulations will affect commercial fishing.

Examples

• Recreational Activity:
  • She enjoys fly fishing in the mountain streams.
  • Fishing requires a lot of patience.
• Commercial Occupation:
  • The storm damaged the town's fishing fleet.
  • Overfishing is a serious threat to the fishing industry.

Advanced Usage

• "To go fishing": to engage in the activity of catching fish, typically for pleasure.
  • Let's go fishing tomorrow if the weather is nice.
• "Fishing for compliments/information": (idiomatic) attempting to obtain something (like praise or facts) indirectly.
  • He kept talking about his new car; he was clearly fishing for compliments.
  • The reporter was fishing for details about the scandal.

Variants and Related Words

• Fish (verb): to try to catch fish.
  • They fish in these waters every day.
• Fishery (noun): a place where fish are reared or caught; the industry of catching fish.
  • The government manages the local fishery.
• Angling (noun): the sport or pastime of fishing with a rod and line.
  • He is a member of the local angling club.

Synonyms

• Angling: (specifically for sport fishing with a hook and line).
• Piscary: (formal or legal term for the right or practice of fishing).

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Fishing" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The base verb "fish" is used instead.) - Fish out: to pull or take something out from a container or place. - She fished her keys out of her bag. - Fish for: to try to obtain something, especially information or compliments, indirectly. - He was fishing for an invitation to the party.

Related Idioms

• "A fishing expedition": an investigation or search undertaken with the hope of discovering information, often with no specific target.
  • The lawyer's questions were dismissed as a mere fishing expedition.
• "There are plenty of other fish in the sea": (common proverb) used to console someone after a failed romantic relationship, suggesting there are many other potential partners.
  • Don't be sad about the breakup; there are plenty of other fish in the sea.

Noun

1. the occupation of catching fish for a living
2. the act of someone who fishes as a diversion