noun

Scylla

SIH-luh

Scylla (noun) means In Greek mythology, a monstrous sea creature that, together with the whirlpool Charybdis, threatened sailors passing through a narrow strait. Example: “Odysseus had to steer his ship carefully between Scylla and Charybdis.”

noun

In Greek mythology, a monstrous sea creature that, together with the whirlpool Charybdis, threatened sailors passing through a narrow strait.

"Odysseus had to steer his ship carefully between Scylla and Charybdis."

How to use Scylla

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mythical sea monster; the phrase "between Scylla and Charybdis" means being trapped between two equally bad choices.

Common pairings

between Scylla and Charybdis

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Odysseus had to steer his ship carefully between _____ and Charybdis.

Etymology

From Latin Scylla, from Ancient Greek Skylla.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Frequently asked questions

What does “Scylla” mean?

The word “Scylla” means in Greek mythology, a monstrous sea creature that, together with the whirlpool Charybdis, threatened sailors passing through a narrow strait. In plain terms, a mythical sea monster; the phrase "between Scylla and Charybdis" means being trapped between two equally bad choices.

How do you pronounce “Scylla”?

“Scylla” is pronounced SIH-luh (/ˈsɪlə/ in IPA).

How do you use “Scylla” in a sentence?

Here is “Scylla” used in a sentence: “Odysseus had to steer his ship carefully between Scylla and Charybdis.”

What part of speech is “Scylla”?

“Scylla” is a noun.

Where does the word “Scylla” come from?

The word “Scylla” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin Scylla, from Ancient Greek Skylla.