skiff
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of skiff
1565–75; < early Italian schifo < Old High German scif ship 1
Explanation
A skiff is a small boat. If you decide to purchase a skiff instead of giant yacht, you're probably someone who prefers the quiet, simple life. (Or maybe you just didn’t want to spend the money on a yacht.) A skiff may be powered by oars, sails, or a motor, but in any of these cases, a typical skiff can carry only a few passengers. Skiff originally referred to a small boat attached to a large ship; the skiff would have been used for communication with and transportation to other large ships and the shore. Winslow Homer, a 19th-century American artist, often portrayed skiffs in his depictions of marine scenes.
Vocabulary lists containing skiff
Touching Spirit Bear
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Old Man and the Sea
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"Through the teeth chattering, he had mentioned that his brother was still under the skiff," White added.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
This year, the eco-tour company Natural Habitat Adventures is debuting the archipelago’s first-ever electric panga, a maneuverable skiff ideal for exploring the coast.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
First she had to get from the Caracas suburb where she has been in hiding for a year to a coastal fishing village, where a skiff awaited her.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 10, 2025
The first sailing medals of the Games will be awarded in the skiff class.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2024
I unscrew the compass and take it back to the skiff and screw it down to the middle seat.
From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick
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.
