as in canoes
a small, light boat that is usually for only one person
She rowed the skiff to her favorite spot on the pond and cast her line.
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Recent Examples of skiffs
The same skiffs also take you to nearby lakes for a spot of swimming or piranha fishing; and on visits to remote villages.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
In addition to the impeccable service, fine dining, and luxury accommodations, one constant was our daily sightings of pink dolphins that would play around the boat and our skiffs during our four-night sailing.
—Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 21 Oct. 2025
But those were mere skiffs by comparison with the general-entertainment battleships.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
The dive shop loads us up on one of the skiffs for near-shore diving, hauling us out to a historical wreck site on their larger double-decker catamaran.
—Peter Kelly, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
In addition to the impeccable service, fine dining, and luxury accommodations, one constant was our daily sightings of pink dolphins that would play around the boat and our skiffs during our four-night sailing.
—Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 21 Oct. 2025
But those were mere skiffs by comparison with the general-entertainment battleships.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
The dive shop loads us up on one of the skiffs for near-shore diving, hauling us out to a historical wreck site on their larger double-decker catamaran.
—Peter Kelly, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skiffs
Noun
-
According to the listing, the three-bedroom cottage features nearly 400 feet of private waterways, outdoor activities like kayaks and canoes and an exercise room.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Guests will also have access to three kayaks, two canoes and an outdoor fire pit.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The volunteer group's flights centered on spotting Cuban refugees fleeing their homeland and attempting to come to the United States, often in makeshift boats or rafts.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
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People hurl wooden crates overboard, tumble off rafts, and frantically don life jackets—sometimes all at once.—
Kristen Geil,
Outside,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors allege the brothers used their wealth, social status and access to exclusive events to entice young women to private homes, yachts, mansions and luxury trips — sometimes paying for flights and high-end accommodations — before drugging and assaulting them.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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The company is currently working to power a wide range of vessels that includes VTOLs, race boats and yachts, motorcycles and defense platforms, manufacturing motors at its 86,000-sq ft three-site facility in Milton Keynes, UK.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skiffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skiffs. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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