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.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
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
-
The tour ends at the Scar Trees, which are a group of trees that had their bark removed by Aboriginal Peoples for various purposes, including crafting items like canoes or shields.—
Helen Murphy,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Peddling crafts and paddling canoes—sometimes even the tribal council wants to relax into that image.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The rafts have to be able to withstand exposure for 30 days, according to a code put out by the International Maritime Organization.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
About a mile from Parnell Beach, a group of men on jet skis began riding close to the Beards’ rafts at high speeds, the lawsuit said.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Or, if shopping isn’t your preferred vacation activity, take the bike to the nearby Intracoastal Waterway and traverse on Palm Beach Lake Trail, a bike- and pedestrian-friendly path that abuts the water’s edge that is lined with docked yachts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2026
-
That is not exactly surprising, given McKeon has designed more than 200 vessels, most of them sailing yachts.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skiffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skiffs. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
