catfish

Bottom-dwelling barbeled fish

A catfish is a freshwater fish with whisker-like barbels around its mouth, popular in Southern U.S. cooking: fried catfish.

The verb means to lure someone into a relationship using a fake online persona: He thought he'd met his soulmate but was being catfished.

The noun also names such a deceiver: She turned out to be a catfish.

fish

whiskers

Facial sensory hairs

barbelsFish sensory projections
bottom-feederCreature eating from below
mudcatFreshwater bottom-feeding fish

bullhead · flathead · channel · blue · nocturnal · omnivore · scavenger · slimy · scaleless · benthic

fishing

angler

One who casts lines

rodThin rigid stick
reelWinding cylinder or dance
baitLure for prey

hook · line · sinker · tackle · lure · trotline · noodling · catch · trophy · fillet

deception

fake

Not the real thing

impostorOne feigning another's identity
scammerOne who defrauds others
conArgument against

hoax · lure · bait · trap · dupe · deceive · pretend · masquerade · trickery · sham

online

profile

Side-facing outline

datingPursuing romantic connections
romanceLove and its excitement
identityWho someone is

photos · stolen · fictitious · account · messaging · predator · victim · documentary · MTV · investigate

cuisine

fried

Cooked in hot fat

blackenedDarkened by burning
cornmealCoarsely milled dried maize
breadingCoating food before frying

fillet · nuggets · po'boy · hushpuppies · coleslaw · tartar · southern · soul-food · farm-raised · wild-caught

venomous

sting

Sharp wound from insect

spineColumn of vertebrae
dorsalOf the back
pectoralOf the chest

venom · barb · wound · pain · puncture · infection · handling · caution

Categories

fishcod, salmon, bass, perch, eels
seafoodshrimp, crab, lobster, salmon, tuna
aquatic animalsdolphin, whale, shark, eel, manta ray
bottom feedersloach, sturgeon, suckerfish, flounder, halibut
fish and amphibiansshark, sharks, salmon, cod, trout
food fishcod, salmon, tilapia, halibut, snapper

Opposites

freshwater vs saltwater fish

catfishsaltwater fish

Ocean-dwelling aquatic vertebrate

marine fish · sea bass · tuna · cod · halibut

bottom-dwelling vs surface/pelagic fish

catfishflying fish

Marine glider with fins

trout · salmon · marlin · tuna · skipjack

online deception authenticity

catfishverified user

Account with confirmed identity

real person · true self · verified account · authentic self · transparent

Phrases

fried catfishBattered and cooked whiskered fish
catfish fryNewly hatched catfish offspring
blackened catfishSpice-crusted seared freshwater fish
catfish stewSimmered freshwater dish
channel catfishNorth American freshwater fish
catfish pondBasin for raising catfish

Family

catfishes, catfished, catfishing, catfisher, catfishers

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G