skin diving

noun

1. an underwater sport in which the swimmer, equipped with a lightweight mask, foot fins, and either a snorkel or a portable air cylinder and breathing device, can move about quickly and easily underwater, as for exploring or spear fishing.

skin diving

noun

1. the sport or activity of diving and underwater swimming without wearing a diver's costume

Derived Forms

• ˈskin-ˌdiver, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of skin diving¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

He found Ollie one day while skin diving off the coast of Greece.

From Literature

In some cases, the Neanderthals may have gone skin diving as deep as 6 to 13 feet.

From New York Times

“They also did things like freshwater fishing and even skin diving.”

From Fox News

The next two monsters — each, more than two feet long — required 40 minutes of skin diving.

From New York Times

Competitive spearfishing is done either with scuba gear and air tanks or by free diving, also called skin diving.

From Washington Times