snorkel

American  

[snawr-kuhl] / ˈsnɔr kəl /

noun

1. British, snort.  a device permitting a submarine to remain submerged for prolonged periods, consisting of tubes extended above the surface of the water to take in air for the diesel engine and for general ventilation and to discharge exhaust gases and foul air.

2. a hard rubber or plastic tube through which a swimmer can breathe while moving face down at or just below the surface of the water.

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verb (used without object)

snorkels, present (3rd person singular) snorkeled, past participle, past snorkelled, past participle, past snorkeling, present participle snorkelling present participle

1. to engage in snorkeling.

snorkel British  

/ ˈsnɔːkəl /

noun

1. a device allowing a swimmer to breathe while face down on the surface of the water, consisting of a bent tube fitting into the mouth and projecting above the surface

2. (on a submarine) a retractable vertical device containing air-intake and exhaust pipes for the engines and general ventilation: its use permits extended periods of submergence at periscope depth

3. military a similar device on a tank, enabling it to cross shallow water obstacles

4. a type of parka or anorak with a hood that projects beyond the face

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verb

1. (intr) to swim with a snorkel

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• snorkeler
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have snorkelled
  perfect
• has snorkelled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have snorkeled
  perfect
• has snorkeled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have been snorkelling
  perfect progressive
• am snorkelling
  progressive 1st person singular
• are snorkeling
  progressive
• has been snorkelling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am snorkeling
  progressive 1st person singular
• are snorkelling
  progressive
• has been snorkeling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is snorkelling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• is snorkeling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been snorkeling
  perfect progressive
• snorkelling
  participle
• snorkeling
  participle
• snorkels
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had snorkelled
  perfect
• had snorkeled
  perfect
• had been snorkeling
  perfect progressive
• had been snorkelling
  perfect progressive
• were snorkelling
  progressive plural
• was snorkelling
  progressive singular
• snorkeled
  simple
• was snorkeling
  progressive singular
• were snorkeling
  progressive plural
• snorkelled
  simple
• snorkeled
  participle
• snorkelled
  participle

Future

• will snorkel
  simple
• will have snorkeled
  perfect
• will have snorkelled
  perfect
• will be snorkelling
  progressive
• will have been snorkeling
  perfect progressive
• will have been snorkelling
  perfect progressive
• will be snorkeling
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of snorkel

First recorded in 1940–45, snorkel is from the German word Schnorchel air intake

Explanation

When you snorkel, you swim near the surface of the water while wearing a mask, fins, and a snorkel through which you can breathe. People like to snorkel in coral reefs, where they can see all kinds of ocean life. If you've ever taken a beach vacation, you may have had a chance to snorkel, which is similar to scuba diving except that you stay very close to the water's surface. When you snorkel, you swim slowly, watching for interesting fish and other sea creatures, and breathe through a tube that's also called a snorkel. The word was originally a nautical term for a submarine air shaft, from German navy slang, Schnorchel, or "snout."

Example Sentences

But don’t blindly book a snorkel cruise from a business or reserve that boutique hotel in the middle of nowhere without checking reviews.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

He dove off a boat to snorkel with his daughter in the ocean, then couldn’t “swim and generate enough power to get myself back to the boat.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2025

Miu told investigators that he was using a snorkel and goggles to look for a lost cellphone.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 11, 2024

On a sunny day in June, I put on my mask and snorkel and jumped into the sea.

From National Geographic • Sep. 6, 2023

I’ll hear the pong of tennis balls, the bark of goldens, the echo of my breath in a snorkel.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart