starfish

/'stɑ:fiʃ/

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Word: Starfish

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A starfish is a sea animal that usually has five arms (or points) that extend out from a central part of its body. They are often found on the ocean floor and come in many colors and sizes.

Usage Instructions:

• "Starfish" is a common noun. It is used to refer to the animal in general.
• When talking about more than one, you say "starfish" (the plural is the same as the singular).

Example Sentence:

• "We saw a starfish while snorkeling in the ocean."

Advanced Usage:

In scientific terms, starfish belong to a group of animals called echinoderms. They can regenerate lost arms, which means if they lose one, they can grow it back.

Word Variants:

• Starfishes: This is a less common plural form but can be used to describe different kinds of starfish.

Different Meanings:

While "starfish" primarily refers to the marine animal, it can also be used metaphorically to describe something that resembles it, for example, in art or design (e.g., a star-shaped object).

Synonyms:

• Sea star (this is a more scientific term used to describe the same animal).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "starfish," but you might hear expressions related to marine life when discussing nature or ecology.

Fun Fact:

Starfish are not actually fish! They are more closely related to sea urchins and sand dollars.

Academic

Noun

1. echinoderms characterized by five arms extending from a central disk

Synonyms

• sea star