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balloonfish

/bəˈluːnfɪʃ/

Meanings
noun
A fish of the genus Diodon or Tetraodon, capable of distending its body by taking air or water into its dilatable esophagus.

Examples :

"While snorkeling in the coral reef, we saw a balloonfish puff itself up into a spiky ball to scare away a larger fish. "
fish animal biology ocean nature

Related Words

Illustration snorkeling

snorkeling verb

/ˈsnɔːrkəlɪŋ/ /ˈsnɔːrkəlɪŋɡ/ /ˈsnɔːrkɪlɪŋ/ /ˈsnɔːrkɪlɪŋɡ/

To use a snorkel.

"Before the picnic, we were snorkeling in the clear, shallow water. "

Illustration distending

distending verb

/dɪˈstɛndɪŋ/

To extend or expand, as from internal pressure; to swell

"The balloon was distending with air as he kept blowing into it. "

Illustration genus

genus noun

/ˈdʒiːnəs/

A rank in the classification of organisms, below family and above species; a taxon at that rank.

"All magnolias belong to the genus Magnolia."

Illustration capable

capable adjective

/ˈkeɪpəbl̩/

Able and efficient; having the ability needed for a specific task; having the disposition to do something; permitting or being susceptible to something.

"As everyone knew, he was capable of violence when roused."

Illustration larger

larger adjective

/ˈlɑː.d͡ʒə/ /ˈlɑɹ.d͡ʒɚ/

Of considerable or relatively great size or extent.

"Russia is a large country.   The fruit-fly has large eyes for its body size.   He has a large collection of stamps."

Illustration itself

itself pronoun

/ɪtˈsɛlf/

(reflexive pronoun) it; A thing as the object of a verb or preposition that also appears as the subject

"The door closed by itself"

Illustration spiky

spiky adjective

/ˈspaɪ.ki/

Having spikes, spiny.

"The hedgehog has a spiky back to protect itself. "

Illustration taking

taking verb

/ˈteɪkɪŋ/

To get into one's hands, possession or control, with or without force.

"The student is taking notes in class to remember the important information. "

Illustration while

while noun

/waɪl/

An uncertain duration of time, a period of time.

"He lectured for quite a long while."

Illustration coral

coral noun

/ˈkɒɹəl/ /ˈkɔɹəl/

A hard substance made of the limestone skeletons of marine polyps.

"The scuba diver pointed to the vibrant coral reef. "

Illustration water

water noun

/ˈwoːtə/ /ˈwɑtəɹ/ [woːʔɐ] [ˈwaːʈər] /ˈwoːtɘ/ /ˈwɔːtə/ /ˈwɔtəɹ/

A substance (of molecular formula H₂O) found at room temperature and pressure as a clear liquid; it is present naturally as rain, and found in rivers, lakes and seas; its solid form is ice and its gaseous form is steam.

"By the action of electricity, the water was resolved into its two parts, oxygen and hydrogen."

Illustration esophagus

esophagus noun

/ɪˈsɒfəɡəs/ /iˈsɒfəɡəs/

The tube that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach.

"The doctor examined the patient's esophagus to see if there were any problems with swallowing. "