jellyfish

noun jel·ly·fish \ˈje-lē-ˌfish\

: a sea animal that has a very soft body and that can sting

Full Definition of JELLYFISH

a : a free-swimming marine coelenterate that is the sexually reproducing form of a hydrozoan or scyphozoan and has a nearly transparent saucer-shaped body and extensible marginal tentacles studded with stinging cells

b : siphonophore

c : ctenophore

: a person lacking backbone or firmness

See jellyfish defined for English-language learners

See jellyfish defined for kids

Illustration of JELLYFISH

First Known Use of JELLYFISH

1841

Related to JELLYFISH

Synonyms: doormat, weakling, namby-pamby, pushover, reed, wimp

Antonyms: stalwart

Rhymes with JELLYFISH

angelfish, anglerfish, archerfish, bony fish, butterfish, candlefish, cuttlefish, damselfish, devilfish, flying fish, guitarfish, John Bullish, ladyfish, lantern fish, lionfish, microfiche, muttonfish, needlefish, overfish, paddlefish, parrot fish, pilot fish, puffer fish, rainbow fish, ribbonfish, silverfish, surgeonfish, triggerfish, zebra fish

JELLYFISH Defined for Kids

jellyfish

noun jel·ly·fish \ˈje-lē-ˌfish\

Definition of JELLYFISH for Kids

: a free-swimming sea animal related to the corals that has a nearly transparent jellylike body shaped like a saucer and tentacles with stinging cells

Medical Dictionary

jellyfish

noun jel·ly·fish \ˈjel-ē-ˌfish\

Medical Definition of JELLYFISH

: a free-swimming marine coelenterate that is the sexually reproducing form of a hydrozoan or scyphozoan and has a nearly transparent saucer-shaped body and extensible marginal tentacles studded with stinging cells