platy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈplā-tē 

: resembling a plate

also : consisting of plates or flaky layers

—used chiefly of soil or mineral formations

platy

2 of 2

noun

ˈpla-tē 

variants or less commonly platyfish

ˈpla-tē-ˌfish 

plural platy or platys or platies also platyfish or platyfishes

: either of two tropical American freshwater live-bearers (Xiphophorus maculatus and X. variatus) that have a highly variable often brilliant color and are popular aquarium fishes

Examples of platy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tubelis made a layup with 7:35 to go to pull UA ahead 20-16, though UCLA took a 21-20 lead a minute later after Campbell converted a three-point platy and hit a stepback jumper. —Bruce Pascoe, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin Platypoecilus, former genus name of the fish

First Known Use

Adjective

1539, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

platy

noun

ˈplat-ē

plural platy or platys or platies

: either of two small freshwater fish that are often kept in tropical aquariums and are noted for their varied and brilliant colors