# gudgeon

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɡʌdʒən/

## Definitions
1. A small freshwater fish, Gobio gobio, that is native to Eurasia.
2. Cottus bairdii, more widely known as mottled sculpin.
3. Any of various similar small fish of the family Eleotridae, often used as bait.
4. Other fish, similar in appearance, principally in families Butidae and Eleotridae, but also in others.
5. A person apt to take the bait; one easily cheated or duped; also, an idiot.
6. Something used to lure or tempt; bait, a lure.

## Etymology
The noun is derived from Late Middle English gojoun [and other forms], from Old French gojon, goujon (“gudgeon”), from Late Latin gōbiōnem, the accusative of gōbiō, the augmentative of Latin gōbius (“gudgeon”), from Ancient Greek κωβῐός (kōbĭós, “fish of the gudgeon kind”), probably of Semitic origin. The English word is a doublet of goby and goujon.
The verb is derived from the noun.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/gudgeon