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
-
Pão de queijo, as moreish as popcorn, manioc gnocchi, rock-pool sea urchins and Tainha fish, caught by local fishermen who still use traditional canoes and spears, are all served on banana leaves on a wooden table outdoors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The plane’s pieces are now, in effect, life rafts (though there are some actual oversize yellow inflatable rafts aboard that will come into play).—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
In the ’80s, the Newport to Ensenada was touted as the world’s largest international race, with more than 600 yachts entering annually.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Foiling yachts typically run software that adjusts the foils hundreds of times a second to maintain safe, level flight.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skiffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skiffs. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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