Word of the Day – Skiff

Skiff (noun)

sk-if

A light rowing boat or sculling boat, typically for one person.

Late 15th century from French esquif, from Italian schifo, of Germanic origin; related to ship.

(Scots) A flurry or light covering of snow.

Early 18th century (as verb meaning ‘to move lightly and quickly’): perhaps an alteration of earlier skift, or from scuff.

Example sentences

“Having built the skiff, they took to the water.”

“Nothing but a skiff of snow on the rooftops.”