Piranha
/pɪˈrɑːn.jə/noun
A small South American freshwater fish known for its sharp teeth and aggressive feeding behavior.
Did you know?The English word comes from a South American Indigenous language, and the fish’s fearsome reputation made its name travel globally as a symbol of relentless, collective feeding.
Etymological Timeline
Indigenous South American languages
Tupi-Guarani
pirá
“fish”
Indigenous South American languages
Tupi-Guarani
ranha
“tooth / teeth”
18th Century
Portuguese
piranha
“the fish, named from the Indigenous term”
19th Century
English
piranha
“a South American fish with sharp teeth and a fierce reputation”
Modern English
English
piranha
“a small predatory freshwater fish of South America”