scuttle Meaning & Definition
What Does Scuttle Mean?
Scuttle is a noun that means A container like an open bucket (usually to hold and carry coal). It is also used to mean A broad, shallow basket. As a verb, it means To cut a hole or holes through the bottom, deck, or sides of (as of a ship), for any purpose. As a verb, it means To move hastily, to scurry.
Scuttle: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈskʌt.l̩/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | scamper, skitter and opening |
| Plural | scuttles |
| Verb forms | scuttles, scuttling, scuttled |
Scuttle Definition (Noun)
- A container like an open bucket (usually to hold and carry coal).
- A broad, shallow basket.
- A dish, platter or a trencher.
Noun
- A small hatch or opening in a boat, sometimes one used for draining water from open deck.
- A drained trough between the windscreen and bonnet of a motor vehicle, forming the intake to the heating/air-conditioning system, often also containing the windscreen wiper motor. By extension, the bulkhead at the front of the passenger compartment.
- By extension, the bulkhead at the front of the passenger compartment.
- A hatch that provides access to the roof from the interior of a building.
Scuttle as a Verb
- To cut a hole or holes through the bottom, deck, or sides of (as of a ship), for any purpose.
- To deliberately sink one's ship or boat by any means, usually by order of the vessel's commander or owner.
The Vichy French fleet in Toulon in 1942 scuttled itself as a final "fuck you" to the invading Germans.
- To deliberately wreck one's vehicle (of any sort).
- To undermine or thwart oneself or one's position or property, especially deliberately.
The candidate had scuttled his chances with his unhinged outburst.
Verb
- To move hastily, to scurry.
Noun
- A quick pace; a short run.
Noun
- A small hatch or opening in a boat. Also, small opening in a boat or ship for draining water from open deck.
Verb
- (by extension, in figurative use) Undermine or thwart oneself (sometimes intentionally), or denigrate or destroy one's position or property; compare scupper.
The candidate had scuttled his chances with his unhinged outburst.
Synonyms of Scuttle
Scuttle synonyms and antonyms →Scuttle in a Sentence
The Vichy French fleet in Toulon in 1942 scuttled itself as a final "fuck you" to the invading Germans.
The candidate had scuttled his chances with his unhinged outburst.
Word Forms & Grammar
scuttle (plural scuttles)
scuttle (third-person singular simple present scuttles, present participle scuttling, simple past and past participle scuttled)
Words That Rhyme With Scuttle
Origin of Scuttle
Origin 1: From Middle English scuttel, scutel, from Old English scutel (“dish, platter”), from Latin scutella, diminutive form of Latin scutra (“flat tray, dish”), perhaps related to Latin scutum (“shield”); compare Dutch schotel and German Schüssel.
Origin 2: Borrowed from Middle French escoutille (compare French écoutille), from Old Norse skaut (“corner of a cloth, of a sail”),[1] or alternatively from Spanish escotilla, ultimately from Gothic 𐍃𐌺𐌰𐌿𐍄𐍃 (skauts, “projecting edge, fringe”), from Proto-Germanic *skautaz (“corner; wedge; lap”). Compare German Schoß,[2] Old English sċēat. More at sheet.
Origin 3: See scuddle.
How to Pronounce Scuttle
You say scuttle as /ˈskʌt.l̩/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (skʌt).
Quick Answers About Scuttle
Is scuttle a noun or a verb?
Scuttle is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for scuttle?
Close synonyms of scuttle are scamper, skitter and opening. See the full list of scuttle synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of scuttle?
The plural of scuttle is scuttles.
What is the past tense of scuttle?
The past tense of scuttle is scuttled. The present participle is scuttling.