catfish

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)Any fish of the order Siluriformes, mainly found in fresh water, lacking scales, and having barbels like whiskers around the mouth.

   ““You don’t see catfish that big anymore, except in Chernobyl […] Nobody fishes there anymore, so the catfish thrive. They’ve gotten really enormous, some even twelve or thirteen feet long. They’re bottom-feeders, and apparently the mud still contains a lot of radioactive particles, but the catfish don’t seem to mind.””

2. (countable, uncountable)The meat of such a fish, popular in the Southern U.S. and Central Europe.
3. (Internet)Someone who creates a false profile on a social media platform in order to deceive people.

   “Real people in a picture that was used by a catfish to create a fake identity could have a claim because their likeness was used without permission, Shear said.”

   “Many online dating users create profiles on these online dating platforms looking for potential partners. However, they might end up meeting with users who have bad intentions, potential catfish. These catfish have begun pushing away potential, innocent users and possibly hindering the success of these online dating platforms.”

4. (Internet)Such a false profile.

verb

1. (intransitive)To fish for catfish.

   “I only use this rod for catfishing.”

2. (Internet, slang, transitive)To create and operate a fake online profile to deceive (someone).

   “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.”

   “[to Abed] You made a profile for a fake dude and lured her into an online relationship. [to Annie] He's catfishing you.”