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Synonyms

scull

American  
[skuhl] / skʌl /

noun

  1. an oar mounted on a fulcrum at the stern of a small boat and moved from side to side to propel the boat forward.

  2. either of a pair of oars rowed by one rower.

  3. a boat propelled by an oar or oars.

  4. a light, narrow racing boat for one, two, or sometimes four rowers, each equipped with a pair of oars.

  5. sculls, a race involving such boats.

verb (used with object)

  1. to propel or convey by means of a scull or sculls.

verb (used without object)

  1. to propel a boat with a scull or sculls.

scull British  
/ skʌl /

noun

  1. a single oar moved from side to side over the stern of a boat to propel it

  2. one of a pair of short-handled oars, both of which are pulled by one oarsman, esp in a racing shell

  3. a racing shell propelled by an oarsman or oarsmen pulling two oars

  4. (plural) a race between racing shells, each propelled by one, two, or four oarsmen pulling two oars

  5. an act, instance, period, or distance of sculling

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to propel (a boat) with a scull

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • sculler noun

Etymology

Origin of scull

1300–50; Middle English sculle < ?

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A few etymologists liken the scooped blade of the scull to the hollow basin of the skull—and others have argued that humans once made these drinking-bowls from actual human skulls.

From Salon • Aug. 7, 2021

"Although it is a fourth - again - that is history made. It is the highest any female scull has come at the Olympic Games."

From BBC • Jul. 29, 2021

A few years later, someone invited her to an adaptive rowing clinic where she strapped into a specially equipped scull and, given her affinity for the water, was hooked.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2020

But the lagoon was comparatively calm when Vladislav Yakovlev of Kazakhstan managed just 10 strokes before capsizing in his single scull.

From New York Times • Aug. 22, 2016

The head of every beast is forbidden food," he said; "and as for the wild boar, no part of him is good, from hoof to scull.

From Tales From J?kai by J?kai, M?r

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.