skiff

[skif]

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noun

any of various types of boats small enough for sailing or rowing by one person.

Origin of skiff

1565–75; < early Italian schifo < Old High German scif ship¹

Related formsskiff·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for skiff

dinghy, canoe, rowboat

Examples from the Web for skiff

Historical Examples of skiff

Laurent selected a skiff, which appeared so light that Camille was terrified by its fragility.
Therese Raquin
Emile Zola
The skiff left the bank, advancing slowly towards the isles.
Therese Raquin
Emile Zola
In about ten minutes we had him in the skiff rowing off to the Patience M.
Cape Cod Stories
Joseph C. Lincoln
He jumped to the stern and caught hold of the skiff's painter.
Cape Cod Stories
Joseph C. Lincoln
I p'inted the skiff the way she'd ought to go and laid to the oars.
Cape Cod Stories
Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for skiff

skiff

noun

any of various small boats propelled by oars, sail, or motor

Word Origin for skiff

C18: from French esquif, from Old Italian schifo a boat, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German schif ship

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

Word Origin and History for skiff

"small boat," 1570s, from French esquif (1540s), from Italian schifo "little boat," from a Germanic source (e.g. Old High German scif "boat;" see ship (n.)). Originally the small boat of a ship.