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

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

Proteas quick bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed five of them after he helped skittle Australia for 212 shortly after the tea interval.

From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2025

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

The pleasure gardens provided walks, rooms for dancing, skittle grounds, bowling greens, variety entertainments, and promenade concerts; and not a few places were given over to fashionable gambling and racing.

From All About Coffee by Ukers, William H. (William Harrison)

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

Stuart Broad collects smartly, and skittles the stumps with Warner diving for the crease!

From The Guardian ● Jul. 29, 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