# piranha

> English word · Noun · IPA /pɪˈɹɑːn(j)ə/ · frequency rank #39,482

## Definitions
1. Any of certain freshwater fish of the subfamily Serrasalminae, native to South America; they are characterised by razor-sharp teeth and a reputation of being ferocious predators (despite most species being omnivorous).

## Etymology
First attested in 1869. The term entered English either via Portuguese piranha or Spanish piraña, from Old Tupi pirãîa.

## Common misspellings (10)
`ipranha`, `piarnha`, `pirahna`, `piranah`, `piranhha`, `pirannha`, `pirnaha`, `pirranha`, `ppiranha`, `prianha`

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