Selkirk

American

[sel-kurk] / ˈsɛl kɜrk /

noun

Alexander originally Alexander Selcraig, 1676–1721, Scottish sailor marooned on a Pacific island: supposed prototype of Robinson Crusoe.
Also called Selkirkshire. a historic county in southeastern Scotland.

Selkirk British

/ ˈsɛlˌkɜːk /

noun

Alexander. original name Alexander Selcraig. 1676–1721, Scottish sailor, who was marooned on one of the islets of Juan Fernández and is regarded as the prototype of Defoe's Robinson Crusoe

"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

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.

"I often walk between Hawick and Selkirk on the Borders Abbey Way," she said.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

Now 75 and retired from full-time recording and touring, he has dusted down his guitars to take part in Selkirk Musical Theatre Group's latest show, We Will Rock You.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

"The world is a rough place at the moment, and it's lovely to have something that is just for the sake of fun," said Selkirk.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

"In New York, it's called 'No Pants', but that means something different in London," where pants refers to underwear, explained Selkirk.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

The course of improvement that we have imagined for Selkirk supposes that he should continue in his state of exclusive proprietor—that there should be none to dispute his right.

From Knowledge is Power: A View of the Productive Forces of Modern Society and the Results of Labor, Capital and Skill. by Knight, Charles

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