catfish
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To create and operate a fake online profile to deceive (someone).
Register: Internet, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Getting catfished is when someone falls for a person online who is not necessarily real. It can involve pictures, phone calls, social media profiles, text messages, e-mails and even phony friends or family members.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “catfish” mean?
To create and operate a fake online profile to deceive (someone).
Is “catfish” formal or informal?
catfish is generally Internet, slang.