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 Word Forms

• skiffless 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

Madison especially thought pure direct democracy would prove unstable, a too-slight skiff heaved about in history’s seas.

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

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

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

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Federal regulations require construction companies to keep such boats, commonly known as skiffs, on hand whenever crews are working over waterways, safety experts told The Associated Press.

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Related Words

• canoe 
• dinghy 
• rowboat