skeet

¹ American  

[skeet] / skit /

noun

1. a form of trapshooting in which two traps are used and targets are hurled singly or in pairs at varying elevations and speeds so as to simulate the angles of flight taken by game birds.

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skeet ² American  

[skeet] / skit /

noun

Poker.

1. a hand consisting of a nine, five, two, and two other cards of denominations below nine but not of the same denomination, being of special value in certain games.

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skeet ³ American  

[skeet] / skit /

verb (used with object)

Southern U.S. and British Dialect.

1. to spit (saliva or a mouthful of other liquid) from the mouth, especially between the teeth.

2. to splash; spray.

   Skeet some cold water on your face to cool off.

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skeet British  

/ skiːt /

noun

1. Also called: skeet shooting.  a form of clay-pigeon shooting in which targets are hurled from two traps at varying speeds and angles

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Etymology

Origin of skeet¹

First recorded in 1925–30; supposedly as the result of a contest to choose a name for the sport (the winner claimed that the word was “a very old form” of shoot ¹ )

Origin of skeet²

Origin uncertain

Origin of skeet³

First recorded in 1875–80; compare Scots skite, scoot in same sense, probably ultimately from Old Norse skýt-, 1st-person present stem of skjóta “to shoot, launch, shove quickly”; see shoot ¹

Example Sentences

Drafted into Margo’s world, Sophie is soon shooting skeet, and then, having bought her own guns, wild boar.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2025

On the American team, three-time Olympic champion Vincent Hancock is confirmed to defend his title in men’s skeet and Mary Tucker is in the women’s 10-meter air rifle.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 17, 2024

The pride of her family, the 5-foot-8 Ms. Roberts graduated with honors from Southside High School in Batesville, played basketball for Arkansas State University, where a team biography said she enjoyed hunting and skeet shooting.

From New York Times • Jul. 1, 2023

World record holder McIntosh finished third in the women's 50m three-position rifle, while world champions Rutter and Llewellin came third in the skeet mixed team event.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2023

Dunbar loved shooting skeet because he hated every minute of it and the time passed so slowly.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller