What does dorado mean?
Dorado is a noun with two principal English senses. Most commonly it names a striking oceanic fish, Coryphaena hippurus, found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide and known variously as the dolphinfish or, especially in commerce and cuisine, by its Hawaiian name mahi-mahi. Renowned among anglers for acrobatic fights and among cooks for firm, flavorful flesh, the dorado is famous for its vivid coloration — shimmering gold and iridescent blue-green — which fades rapidly after death. The word's second sense belongs to astronomy: Dorado is a small southern constellation, one of those devised during the age of exploration, notable for containing part of the Large Magellanic Cloud. Derived from Spanish dorado, meaning 'gilded' or 'golden', the term evokes brilliance and value; it is best known to many through the legend of El Dorado, the fabled city of gold. In English usage the word carries a slightly exotic, adventurous flavor.
A large, brightly colored marine fish (Coryphaena hippurus) of tropical and subtropical waters, also called dolphinfish or mahi-mahi, popular in sport fishing and as food.
"We grilled fresh dorado on the beach that evening."
Often interchangeable with 'mahi-mahi' in culinary contexts.
A small southern constellation (Dorado) representing a dolphinfish, containing part of the Large Magellanic Cloud.
"The Tarantula Nebula lies within the constellation Dorado."
Used almost exclusively in astronomical contexts; capitalized.
The standard English plural adds -s; the unchanged form 'dorado' may occasionally be seen but '-s' is normal.
"The charter returned to port with three dorados and a full cooler."
The dorado isn't just dazzlingly golden — it changes color as it dies, flashing electric blues and greens before fading to yellow-grey.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dorado
Dorado comes from Spanish, where dorado means 'gilded' or 'golden', ultimately from Latin deaurare, 'to gild', formed from aurum, 'gold'. Spanish explorers applied the name to the brilliantly colored dolphinfish, and astronomers later adopted it for a southern constellation charted by Dutch navigators in the late 16th century. The same root underlies El Dorado, the legendary gilded king or city of South America.
Related word forms
How dorado is actually used
In English, 'dorado' is used mainly in sport-fishing and culinary contexts, where it overlaps with 'mahi-mahi', the Hawaiian name that dominates North American menus and markets. It is not related to the dolphin, despite the alternative name 'dolphinfish'. The constellation sense is confined to astronomy.
Easily confused with dorado
'El Dorado' refers to the legendary South American city or ruler of gold (and by extension a place of fabulous wealth), while 'dorado' on its own denotes the fish or the constellation.
In some languages 'dorado' translates as 'goldfish', but in English the word does not mean the common aquarium goldfish; it names the oceanic dolphinfish.