scuttle
Scuttle (noun) means an open bucket or container used for carrying coal. Example: “He filled the coal scuttle before lighting the fire.”
How to use scuttle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHas three unrelated meanings: a coal bucket, deliberately sinking a ship (also used figuratively for wrecking a plan), and scurrying quickly.
The verb "to scuttle a plan" (deliberately ruin or abandon it) comes from the ship-sinking sense, not the scurrying one.
Word forms
scuttled past tense, scuttled past tense, scuttles plural, scuttles plural, scuttles plural, scuttles singular, scuttles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He filled the coal _____ before lighting the fire.
Etymology
From Old English scutel ("dish, platter"), ultimately from Latin scutella; the "sink a ship" and "scurry" senses developed separately in Middle English.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for scuttle
See all rhymes for scuttle →Frequently asked questions
What does “scuttle” mean?
The word “scuttle” means an open bucket or container used for carrying coal. In plain terms, has three unrelated meanings: a coal bucket, deliberately sinking a ship (also used figuratively for wrecking a plan), and scurrying quickly.
How do you pronounce “scuttle”?
“Scuttle” is pronounced SKUHT-l (/ˈskʌt.l̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “scuttle” in a sentence?
Here is “scuttle” used in a sentence: “He filled the coal scuttle before lighting the fire.”
What is another word for “scuttle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scuttle” include cowl.
What part of speech is “scuttle”?
Depending on how it is used, “scuttle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “scuttle” come from?
The word “scuttle” comes from Latin. From Old English scutel ("dish, platter"), ultimately from Latin scutella; the "sink a ship" and "scurry" senses developed separately in Middle English.
How many meanings does “scuttle” have?
“Scuttle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an open bucket or container used for carrying coal.