skiff

noun

ˈskif How to pronounce skiff (audio)
Synonyms of skiffnext
: any of various small boats
especially : a flat-bottomed rowboat

Examples of skiff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dozens of sunken skiffs and speedboats, long written off by their owners, sat dry on the sand. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 Alas, the Launchpad’s crew did not respond to the request, and a nearby cruise ship came to the rescue instead, towing the skiff back to port. — Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026 The ship that came to the skiff's assistance was a cruise ship called the Wilderness Legacy, which towed it to Farragut Bay, according to the Alaska Beacon. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 The yacht came under scrutiny after an expedition cruise ship responded to a request for assistance from a 21-foot skiff stranded in Southeast Alaska. — Luisa Yanez august 10, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skiff

Word History

Etymology

Middle English skif, from Middle French or Old Italian; Middle French esquif, from Old Italian schifo, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English scip ship

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skiff was in the 15th century

Rhymes for skiff

See All Rhymes for skiff

Browse Nearby Words

skiey
skiff
skiffle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skiff. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

skiff

noun
ˈskif How to pronounce skiff (audio)
: any of various small boats
especially : a flat-bottomed rowboat

More from Merriam-Webster on skiff

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for skiff

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