Meaning of the word catfish in English

What does catfish mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

catfish

US /ˈkæt.fɪʃ/
UK /ˈkæt.fɪʃ/
"catfish" picture

Noun

1.

a scaleless fish with whisker-like barbels around the mouth, found in fresh and salt water.

Example:
We caught a large catfish in the river.
Catfish are known for their distinctive barbels.
2.

a person who sets up a fake personal profile on a social networking site for fraudulent or deceptive purposes.

Example:
She realized she had been talking to a catfish after he refused to video call.
Beware of catfish on dating apps.

Verb

to deceive (someone) by creating a fake personal profile on a social networking site.

Example:
He tried to catfish her by using fake photos.
Many people have been catfished on dating sites.