snorkel

American  

[snawr-kuhl] / ˈsnɔr kəl /

noun

• snorkels
  plural

1. British, snort. a device permitting a submarine to remain submerged for prolonged periods, consisting of tubes extended above the surface of the water to take in air for the diesel engine and for general ventilation and to discharge exhaust gases and foul air.

2. a hard rubber or plastic tube through which a swimmer can breathe while moving face down at or just below the surface of the water.

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verb (used without object)

• snorkels,
  present (3rd person singular)
• snorkeled,
  past participle,  past
• snorkelled,
  past participle,  past (especially British)
• snorkeling,
  present participle
• snorkelling
  present participle (especially British)

1. to engage in snorkeling.

snorkel British  

/ ˈsnɔːkəl /

noun

1. a device allowing a swimmer to breathe while face down on the surface of the water, consisting of a bent tube fitting into the mouth and projecting above the surface

2. (on a submarine) a retractable vertical device containing air-intake and exhaust pipes for the engines and general ventilation: its use permits extended periods of submergence at periscope depth

3. military a similar device on a tank, enabling it to cross shallow water obstacles

4. a type of parka or anorak with a hood that projects beyond the face

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verb

1. (intr) to swim with a snorkel

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• snorkeler
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• snorkels
  plural

Participles

• snorkeling
  present
• snorkelling
  present
• snorkeled
  past
• snorkelled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• snorkel
  simple
• snorkels
  simple
• have snorkeled
  perfect
• have snorkelled
  perfect
• has snorkeled
  perfect
• has snorkelled
  perfect
• am snorkeling
  progressive
• am snorkelling
  progressive
• are snorkeling
  progressive
• are snorkelling
  progressive
• is snorkeling
  progressive
• is snorkelling
  progressive
• have been snorkeling
  perfect progressive
• have been snorkelling
  perfect progressive
• has been snorkeling
  perfect progressive
• has been snorkelling
  perfect progressive

Past

• snorkeled
  simple
• snorkelled
  simple
• had snorkeled
  perfect
• had snorkelled
  perfect
• was snorkeling
  progressive
• was snorkelling
  progressive
• were snorkeling
  progressive
• were snorkelling
  progressive
• had been snorkeling
  perfect progressive
• had been snorkelling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will snorkel
  simple
• will have snorkeled
  perfect
• will have snorkelled
  perfect
• will be snorkeling
  progressive
• will be snorkelling
  progressive
• will have been snorkeling
  perfect progressive
• will have been snorkelling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of snorkel

First recorded in 1940–45, snorkel is from the German word Schnorchel air intake

Explanation

When you snorkel, you swim near the surface of the water while wearing a mask, fins, and a snorkel through which you can breathe. People like to snorkel in coral reefs, where they can see all kinds of ocean life. If you've ever taken a beach vacation, you may have had a chance to snorkel, which is similar to scuba diving except that you stay very close to the water's surface. When you snorkel, you swim slowly, watching for interesting fish and other sea creatures, and breathe through a tube that's also called a snorkel. The word was originally a nautical term for a submarine air shaft, from German navy slang, Schnorchel, or "snout."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snorkel snorkels snorkeled snorkelled snorkeling snorkelling

“I’m kinda interested in getting a mask and snorkel when this calms down and checking it out.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

With no bogs nearby, Rutter says practising for the championships is somewhat difficult, but he always checks his snorkel isn't leaking and his flippers still fit.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2025

He dove off a boat to snorkel with his daughter in the ocean, then couldn’t “swim and generate enough power to get myself back to the boat.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2025

Miu told investigators that he was using a snorkel and goggles to look for a lost cellphone.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 11, 2024

I’ll hear the pong of tennis balls, the bark of goldens, the echo of my breath in a snorkel.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart

Heather Hamilton, who snorkels off the coast of Cornwall virtually every week with her father David, has swum through large blooms of salps, a species that looks a bit like a jellyfish.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2025

Some contestants accessorized their snorkels, masks and flippers with more flamboyant touches — one carried a giant plastic toad on their head, another had a bathing cap adorned with flowers.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 27, 2023

Equipped with masks and snorkels, we followed a local conservationist out to where a coral nursery, consisting of a framework of interconnected metal poles, was laid out in a sandy area on the ocean floor.

From Scientific American ● Jul. 14, 2023

Wearing snorkels and fins, they swam in straight lines, he said, searching for remnants of life.

From New York Times ● May 5, 2023

Mirren and Johnny go in the water with snorkels and fins.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart

Clients snorkeled, learned about reef restoration and helped tend corals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

She called it the “snorkel pool,” because she had previously snorkeled in clear water here and recorded video of the fish.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2024

Multiple generations of Caymanians have taken the quick swim out and snorkeled with their children.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2021

Later we snorkeled along the shoreline, spotting pencil urchins, neon-blue wrasse, Cortez angelfish and pushy hogfish chasing their neighbors.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 1, 2020

Probably there are only jellyfish and tiny crabs, but even with those slim pickings we have snorkeled at the tiny beach, always.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart

She snorkelled through creeks and packed in lab time to study the water-filtering bivalves and their intriguing behaviours — such as bundling their larvae into minnow-shaped lures to hitch rides on hungry fish.

From Nature ● Apr. 25, 2017

Private drivers wait at the pier to shuttle guests to snorkeling trips, cooking classes or even helicopter charters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

Well, wouldn’t you go snorkeling around a solemn mass entombment if you got the chance, too?

From Slate ● May 16, 2026

But that also covers snorkeling expeditions, kayaking excursions along the reef and guided stargazing quests.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 10, 2025

After she dragged him back to the boat, Dane said, he sent her back out with her friend and the snorkeling guide.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2025

“She will. And when I get there I’ll take you tubing and snorkeling and it’ll be a grand summer, Taft.”

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart

"If you spot one while snorkelling or diving, be calm and keep your distance, no flash photography."

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

Passengers aboard were transported by tenders to the secluded island – home to a luxury resort and a research station - for a day trip with the option of hiking or snorkelling.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2025

Not for the faint of heart or faint of smell, bog snorkelling is often considered an acquired taste.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2025

Of those competing, bog snorkelling world champion Neil Rutter, 41, secured his sixth record win at the championships and is now celebrating becoming the first professional in the sport.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2025

The inquest heard that Anna was snorkelling with her father, who moved away to see her younger brother.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2025