shark

¹

[shahrk]

noun

1. any of a group of elongate elasmobranch, mostly marine fishes, certain species of which are large, voracious, and sometimes dangerous to humans.

shark

²

[shahrk]

noun

1. a person who preys greedily on others, as by cheating or usury.

2. Informal.,  a person who has unusual ability in a particular field.

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic.,  to obtain by trickery or fraud; steal.

verb (used without object)

1. Archaic.,  to live by shifts and stratagems.

shark

¹

/ ʃɑːk /

noun

1. a person who preys on or victimizes others, esp by swindling or extortion

verb

1. archaic,  to obtain (something) by cheating or deception

shark

²

/ ʃɑːk /

noun

1. any of various usually ferocious selachian fishes, typically marine with a long body, two dorsal fins, rows of sharp teeth, and between five and seven gill slits on each side of the head

Other Word Forms

• sharklike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shark¹

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Origin of shark²

1590–1600; < German dialect Schork, variant of Schurke rascal

Word History and Origins

Origin of shark¹

C18: probably from German Schurke rogue; perhaps also influenced by _shark ¹

Origin of shark²

C16: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. jump the shark, to begin a decline in quality, popularity, relevance, etc., after reaching a peak.

   Some TV shows have jumped the shark once a popular cast member left the show.

Example Sentences

A man has died on a Sydney beach after being bitten by a suspected "large shark", Australia's New South Wales police have said.

From BBC

The moves in the long-term government bonds are a warning sign of bond sharks scenting some blood in the water.

From BBC

It feels like we’ve jumped the shark — even for Fox News.

From Salon

On “The Sopranos,” Adler played Hesh, a Jewish music producer and loan shark with long ties to the Soprano crime family.

From Los Angeles Times

And he goes, “Well, it was like the seventh season or something. We jumped the shark already.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• astute 
• cagey 
• canny 
• crafty 
• farsighted 
• ingenious 
• judicious 
• keen 
• penetrating 
• perceptive 
• probing 
• prudent 
• sensible 
• sharp 
• slick 
• sly 
• smart 
• wily 
• wise