silverfish

Everyday

1. A silverfish is a small, shiny, silver-grey insect with no wings that wriggles like a fish and lives in damp corners of houses. tree →
2. (rare) Silverfish is also a name for some small silvery fish. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it comes up with insects and minibeasts and their habitats; in everyday life people find silverfish in bathrooms, under sinks or in old books; it tells the reader a place is damp or old.

Examples

• A silverfish darted across the bathroom floor. tree →
• Silverfish like damp, dark places. tree →
• Silverfish nibble paper, glue and old books. tree →
• It is an insect even though it is called a fish. tree →
• We spotted three silverfish under the sink. tree →
• Silverfish are harmless to people but annoying. tree →

Note

Plural is the same: one silverfish, many silverfish. Trap: it is an insect, not a fish. It does not bite or sting people.