skittle

American  

[skit-l] / ˈskɪt l /

noun

Chiefly British.

• skittles
  plural

1. (used with a singular verb) skittles, ninepins in which a wooden ball or disk is used to knock down the pins.

2. one of the pins used in this game.

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skittle British  

/ ˈskɪtəl /

noun

1. a wooden or plastic pin, typically widest just above the base

2. Also called (esp US): ninepins.  (plural; functioning as singular) a bowling game in which players knock over as many skittles as possible by rolling a wooden ball at them

3. informal (often used with a negative) an easy time; amusement

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• skittles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of skittle

1625–35; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse skutill shuttle, arrow; Danish skyttel shuttle

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

skittle skittles

Tongue claimed 5-46 and Robinson 5-51 to skittle Pakistan for 171 after England won the toss.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

Ayub hit 56 off 37 balls at the top of the order and Azam added an unbeaten 50 as Pakistan posted 207-6 before spinner Nawaz's career-best 5-18 helped skittle Australia for 96 in Lahore.

From Barron's ● Feb. 1, 2026

Opener Shan Masood orchestrated Multan’s healthy total of 183-5 with 73 off 42 balls before leg-spinner Imran Tahir’s haul of 3-7 helped skittle out Quetta for 73 in 12.1 overs.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 16, 2021

In a text Mr. Lloyd said Mr. Callaghan and others “boycotted” the White Horse after the skittle alley skirmish.

From New York Times ● Nov. 28, 2020

Quoits hung up on several large nails driven into a wall, and there was a covered skittle alley.

From Dr. Jolliffe's Boys by Frank Feller

The first edition of the beer guide in 1972 cost 75p and had very brief descriptions of 1,500 pubs and 105 breweries - The Queen's Head being a "friendly pub with hot snacks and skittles".

From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2022

Trayon was walking through a neighborhood with skittles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 6, 2021

Upgrade their water bottle to this sleek design that’s inspired by retro 10 pin bowling skittles and functions as a portable work of art.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 12, 2019

In the space of one month in South Africa, Lomu reduced the finest players on the planet to skittles and speedbumps.

From BBC ● Nov. 18, 2015

John Tookey showed off this new New York craze called break dancing but went spinning out of control into a group of girls, who toppled like skittles.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell