Dolphin Definition: Common Collocations, Idioms, Examples

Check the appliances of this word in the real-life contexts:

The meaning of “dolphin” is concrete, and possible synonyms can be found only in academic texts when speaking of a kind. However, many phrases allow you to talk about different topics related to these sea creatures:

Related nouns: whale seal sea lion

Synonyms (contextual): No, it is specific

Common collocations: dolphin species protect dolphins dolphin hunts

Collocations with adjectives are mostly attributed to dolphins’ behavior. Verbs allow us to describe how they move. Nouns are related to interactions between people and dolphins.

With adjectives: intelligent dolphin playful dolphin friendly dolphin

With verbs: dolphin leaps dolphin plays dolphin jumps dolphin dives

With nouns (noun + noun): dolphin trainer dolphin therapy dolphin show

“Dolphin” doesn’t regularly appear in idioms. However, there are phrases that are widely used in sports and recreational activities.

• Dolphin dive is a movement used by sportspeople and lifeguards when they need to dive and emerge quickly.

  It is not simple to do the dolphin dive, so don’t push yourself too much.

• Smiling like a dolphin is the phrase you can use to describe someone who smiles joyfully all the time.

  Stop smiling like a dolphin. I know it was you who ate my sandwich!

• Swimming with dolphins refers to an activity where you visit a pool or another water facility to swim with dolphins.

  This Monday I’m going to swim with dolphins. It will help me relax.

Since you know what “dolphin” means and are acquainted with some common phrases, it is time to test your understanding with this engaging quiz:

The way you spell “dolphin” in other European languages is pretty similar to the English version. Check it now by reading and pressing the pronunciation button:

What do dolphins’ whistles mean? Who is the biggest dolphin lover in the world? Here, you will find the answers:

• Dolphins have names

  When communicating, they whistle, and each dolphin has an exclusive sound it responds to. These creatures have a very high level of self-awareness and can even recognize themselves in mirrors.

• Aušra Šaltenytė collected 3,516 items related to dolphins

  Do you like dolphins? To what extent? Perhaps not as much as Aušra Šaltenytė from Lithuania, who has a remarkable collection, as mentioned by Guinness World Records. Part of it is open to the public.

• Fungie the Dolphin was a friend of the people of Dingle

  Born in 1980, Fungie followed boats in Dingle, making regular appearances, so tour guides could guarantee that people would see him. There is a statue of Fungie in the city.

• Dolphins don’t entirely fall asleep: part of their brains always works

  That’s how they protect themselves from predators. Even when resting, they keep one eye open, observing the surroundings. However, they still have enough energy to play.

In addition to the “dolphin” description, we gathered some famous quotes said by philosophers and scientists.

— Jacques Yves Cousteau

Explanation: While most animals and insects live to survive and are just happy to be here, people spend a lot of time thinking about this world and existence, trying to resolve the great mysteries of life.

— Albert Einstein

Explanation: We don’t know the extent of their intelligence; however, the way they live their life, full of content and leisure activities, suggests that maybe they know how to live better than we do.

— Richard O’Barry

Explanation: It is not simple to say whether a dolphin is happy or sad, because they always carry smiles on their faces, hiding their true emotions.