skookum
Americanadjective
-
large; powerful; impressive.
-
excellent; first-rate.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of skookum
1825–35, < Chinook Jargon: strong, powerful < Lower Chehalis (Salishan language of the Washington coast) skwəkwə́m ghost, spirit, monster (hence, apparently “fearsome” > “powerful” in Chinook Jargon)
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.
Northwest look as handsome and healthy as skookum apples.
From Time Magazine Archive
"What a skookum son-in-law to take up the business when I let go!" he murmured happily.
From Cappy Ricks Or, the Subjugation of Matt Peasley by Kyne, Peter B. (Peter Bernard)
Course, I can't register any kick; for when it comes to doing the hair-trigger friendship act, Pinckney's the real skookum preferred.
From Shorty McCabe by Wilson, F. Vaux (Francis Vaux)
Johnny dwelt upon his worldly assets—his saddle, his bridle, and all his skookum icties.
From Skookum Chuck Fables Bits of History, Through the Microscope by Cumming, R. D. (Robert Dalziel)
"Here, take the axe, shinny up the hill, and lug me down some skookum dry wood."
From A Daughter of the Snows by London, Jack
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.
