skiff

[ skif ]

noun

1. any of various types of boats small enough for sailing or rowing by one person.

skiff

/ skɪf /

noun

1. any of various small boats propelled by oars, sail, or motor

Other Words From

• skiffless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of skiff¹

1565–75; < early Italian schifo < Old High German scif ship ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of skiff¹

C18: from French esquif, from Old Italian schifo a boat, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German schif ship

Example Sentences

The first sailing medals of the Games will be awarded in the skiff class.

From BBC

The frigate seized the pirates given “the unsafe condition of their skiff” and said that some had “injuries of varied severity.”

From Seattle Times

They also had recovered their skiff, which sustained damage that rendered it non-functional, and said they needed help getting back to Polowat.

From BBC

They departed on Easter Sunday for Pikelot Atoll, about 115 miles away, in a traditional 20-foot skiff with an outboard motor, the Coast Guard added.

From BBC

The men, who were experienced mariners in their 40s, set sail on March 31 from Polowat Atoll, an island that is part of the Federated States of Micronesia, in a 20-foot open skiff powered by an outboard motor.

From New York Times

Related Words

• canoe
• dinghy
• rowboat