barracuda

noun

bar·​ra·​cu·​da ˌber-ə-ˈkü-də 

ˌba-rə-

plural barracuda or barracudas

1

: any of a genus (Sphyraena of the family Sphyraenidae) of elongate predaceous often large bony fishes of warm seas that includes food and sport fishes as well as some forms frequently causing ciguatera poisoning

2

: one that uses aggressive, selfish, and sometimes unethical methods to obtain a goal especially in business

Synonyms

• fire-breather
• fire-eater
• pit bull
• tiger

Examples of barracuda in a Sentence

The company's lawyers are a bunch of barracudas.

the governor-elect is too nice and easygoing, so he'll need a barracuda as his chief of staff

Recent Examples on the Web

Souza told us about the early islanders’ sophisticated system of aquaculture and pointed out the eel, barracuda, and — excitement! — puffer fish that live in the ponds today. —Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024

Later in the day, Neal and a volunteer will scuba dive below the tower to replace the shark and barracuda cameras that stream a live feed of the bottom of the ocean to Explore.org. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 11 Sep. 2024

The 251-foot vessel boasts nearly 500 species of marine life, from garden eels to stingrays, sea turtles, and barracuda. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024

Which is forgivable, given that Nemo’s mom—and all his siblings—were victims of a barracuda shortly before their eggs hatched. —Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 4 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

barracuda

noun

bar·​ra·​cu·​da ˌbar-ə-ˈküd-ə 

plural barracuda or barracudas

: any of several large fierce marine fishes of warm seas that have strong jaws and sharp teeth and that include some used for food