noun

shark

shahk

noun

A large predatory fish with a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone, known for its rows of sharp teeth.

"A great white shark was spotted just off the coast."

"Sharks have existed for hundreds of millions of years."

A person who ruthlessly exploits or cheats others, especially in business or money matters.

"The company was accused of acting like a loan shark, charging desperate borrowers extreme interest."

"He's a shark in negotiations — never give him an opening."

Someone who is extremely skilled at a competitive game, especially one who hides that skill to win money (e.g. a pool shark).

"Turned out the "beginner" was a pool shark who'd hustled half the bar."

verb

To swindle or cheat someone out of money.

"He was sharked out of his savings by a fake investment scheme."

How to Use Shark

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the ocean predator, or — as slang — a ruthless, skilled person who preys on others, especially for money.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the innocent fish sense with the slang sense (loan shark, card shark) — context makes it clear which is meant.

Common pairings

loan shark card shark pool shark shark attack shark tank

Word Forms

sharked past tense, sharked past tense, sharked past tense, sharks plural, sharks plural, sharks singular, sharks singular, sharks singular

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A great white _____ was spotted just off the coast.

Etymology

First recorded in English in the 1400s referring to the fish, origin uncertain — possibly linked to an older sense of "shark" meaning a swindler or rogue, since sharks (the fish) have long symbolised ruthless predators.

Synonyms

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haye

Rhymes for shark

ark lark dark mark Sark bark hark park quark spark stark Clark

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