scuttle

1 of 5

verb (1)

scut·​tle ˈskə-tᵊl How to pronounce scuttle (audio)
scuttled; scuttling ˈskə-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce scuttle (audio)
ˈskət-liŋ

scuttle

2 of 5

noun (1)

1
: a quick shuffling pace
2
: a short swift run

scuttle

3 of 5

verb (2)

scuttled; scuttling

transitive verb

1
2
: to cut a hole through the bottom, deck, or side of (a ship)
specifically : to sink or attempt to sink by making holes through the bottom

scuttle

4 of 5

noun (2)

1
: a small opening in a wall or roof furnished with a lid: such as
a
: a small opening or hatchway in the deck of a ship large enough to admit a person and with a lid for covering it
b
: a small hole in the side or bottom of a ship fitted with a covering or glazed
2
: a covering that closes a scuttle

scuttle

5 of 5

noun (3)

1
: a shallow open basket for carrying something (such as grain or garden produce)
2
: a metal pail that usually has a bail and a sloped lip and is used especially for carrying coal

Examples of scuttle in a Sentence

Verb (1) mice scuttling across the barn floor to escape the cats
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Through Wednesday and Thursday, forecasters expect rain to scuttle Halloween festivities in parts of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region, including major cities such as Detroit and Cleveland, according to AccuWeather. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024 The Supreme Court scuttled the Biden administration's signature student loan forgiveness plan last year. Ivana Saric, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
Between the curb and façade, a familiar sidewalk scuttle defined the scene as an NYC film shoot. Brett Berk, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024 On the scuttle panel (the black strip of plastic between the windshield and hood), 60% of insects stuck it out. Byhannah Richter, science.org, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for scuttle 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

perhaps blend of scud and shuttle

Noun (2)

Middle English skottell lid of a scuttle

Noun (3)

Middle English scutel, from Latin scutella drinking bowl, tray, diminutive of scutra platter

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1657, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scuttle was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near scuttle

Cite this Entry

“Scuttle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scuttle. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

scuttle

1 of 5 noun
scut·​tle ˈskət-ᵊl How to pronounce scuttle (audio)
: a metal pail for carrying coal

scuttle

2 of 5 noun
: a small opening (as in the deck of a ship or the roof of a house) with a lid or cover
also : its lid

scuttle

3 of 5 verb
scuttled; scuttling ˈskət-liŋ How to pronounce scuttle (audio) -ᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce scuttle (audio)
1
: to sink by cutting holes through the bottom or sides
scuttle a ship
2
: to put an end to by a deliberate act
scuttle a conference

scuttle

4 of 5 verb
scuttled; scuttling
ˈskət-liŋ,
-ᵊl-iŋ
: scurry

scuttle

5 of 5 noun
1
: a quick scuffing pace
2
: a short swift run
Etymology

Noun

Middle English scutel "a shallow basket for carrying things," from Latin scutella "drinking bowl"

Noun

Middle English skottell "lid of a scuttle"

Verb

probably a combination of 1scud and 2shuttle

More from Merriam-Webster on scuttle

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!