noun
skiff
SKIF/skɪf/
A small, light boat.
A small wooden skiff floats beside the quiet dock.
Etymology
Old French esquif meant a small boat. In English, skiff originally named a ship’s small boat, before becoming a more general name for a small, light craft.
In context
trial. But if it be done let me have the handling of it, little master, for you know no more of a boat than I do of a war-horse. The skiff can bear five and not a man more.
More examples
- We row the skiff across the pond.
- Two skiffs are tied to the pier.
- Her fishing skiff has a small outboard motor.
Forms
skiff · skiffs
Similar words
- dinghy
- Often serves as a tender for a larger boat.
- rowboat
- Specifically propelled by oars; a skiff may use a motor.