Dolphin

Definition

Dolphin refers to any of various small-toothed, marine mammals of the family Delphinidae, known for their intelligence, social behavior, and acrobatic displays; as a verb, dolphin is rare but can mean to swim or leap like a dolphin.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (intransitive, rare)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˈdɑːl.fɪn/
• Respelling: DOL-fin

British English

• IPA: /ˈdɒl.fɪn/
• Respelling: DOL-fin

Etymology

Early 17th century: from Spanish delfín, from Latin delphīnus, from Greek delphís “dolphin,” of unknown origin.

Derivatives

• dolphin-like (adjective)
• porpoise (related term, another small cetacean)

Synonyms

• cetacean (broad term)
• porpoise (similar but distinct)

Antonyms

• fish (distinct group of aquatic vertebrates)
• wild (in contrast to trained or captive dolphins in shows)

Usage

"The pod of dolphins rode the bow wave of the ship."

"Children at the marine park watched the dolphins dolphin through hoops and perform flips."

Related Terms

• Cetacean: The order including whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
• Porpoise: A small toothed whale, similar to a dolphin.
• Pod: A social group of dolphins.
• Blowhole: The nostril on top of a dolphin’s head used for breathing.
• Marine mammal: A warm-blooded vertebrate living in the sea and breathing air.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• Any small-toothed, aquatic mammal of the family Delphinidae – highly intelligent, social cetaceans with streamlined bodies and a beaklike snout.
  • Example: "Bottlenose dolphins are common in coastal waters worldwide."
• A trained dolphin in captivity – a dolphin taught to perform behaviors for shows or research.
  • Example: "The dolphin at the aquarium greeted visitors with a splash."

Verb

• To swim or leap like a dolphin – to move through water with graceful, arcing motions.
  • Example: "Surfers sometimes dolphin under waves to avoid being pushed back."