cuttlefish

noun

cut·​tle·​fish ˈkə-tᵊl-ˌfish How to pronounce cuttlefish (audio)
: any of various marine cephalopod mollusks (order Sepiida, especially genus Sepia) having eight short arms and two usually longer tentacles and differing from the related squid in having a calcified internal shell

Illustration of cuttlefish

Illustration of cuttlefish

Examples of cuttlefish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Not surprisingly, seafood is central to the local cuisine, with such dishes as sole sablaise, a local fish; cuttlefish stew; and mouclade, a mussel dish, among the specialties. — Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Cephalopods are a class of marine animals that includes octopuses, squids and cuttlefish, and are known for their tentacles and advanced nervous systems — and for lacking rigid skeletons. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2026 The cuttlefish bone, meanwhile, symbolized the bird that had literally flown the coop. — Howard Halle, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026 The captain, too, seemed content, and at one point donned a mask and snorkel of his own, eased into the water, and speared a five-pound cuttlefish for his supper. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cuttlefish

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cotul + English fish

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cuttlefish was in 1591

Rhymes for cuttlefish

See All Rhymes for cuttlefish

Browse Nearby Words

cuttlebone
cuttlefish
cuttler
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cuttlefish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cuttlefish. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cuttlefish

noun
cut·​tle·​fish -ˌfish How to pronounce cuttlefish (audio)
: a marine mollusk having eight short arms and two longer tentacles and differing from the related squid in having an internal shell composed of compounds of calcium

More from Merriam-Webster on cuttlefish

Nglish: Translation of cuttlefish for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cuttlefish

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