piranha
[pɪˈɹɑːnjə]
[pɪˈɹænjə]
A piranha is a type of fish found in South America, known for its sharp teeth.
Piranhas are often used as an example of something that's extremely aggressive and has a lot of power, but not necessarily as a danger to humans. People might use the word to describe someone or something that's getting a bit out of control, like a piranha that would eat anything in sight if it got loose from its tank.
How common is "piranha"?
Word piranha is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
noun
Any of the carnivorous freshwater fish living in South American rivers and belonging to the subfamily Serrasalminae.
Real examples of "piranha" in context
