noun
skink
SKINK
Skink (noun) means a lizard of the family Scincidae, typically with small or reduced limbs and a long tail that can regrow if lost. Example: “A skink darted under the rock as we walked past.”
noun
1
A lizard of the family Scincidae, typically with small or reduced limbs and a long tail that can regrow if lost.
"A skink darted under the rock as we walked past."
"Some skinks have such tiny legs that they look almost like snakes."
"The garden was home to several skinks basking on the warm paving stones."
How to use skink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA skink is a smooth-bodied lizard, often with very short legs.
When to use it
Skink is a neutral, everyday zoological term.
Memory tip
Do not confuse skink with skunk, the smelly mammal; the words look similar but are unrelated.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a skink's tail
a species of skink
a blue-tongued skink
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A _____ darted under the rock as we walked past.
Etymology
The lizard sense of skink came into English from Middle French scinc, which derived from Latin scincus. The Latin word in turn came from the Ancient Greek skingos or skinkos.
Synonyms
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sandfish
scincid
Rhymes for skink
See all rhymes for skink →Frequently asked questions
What is a skink?
A skink is a type of lizard belonging to the family Scincidae, often with small legs or none at all.
Can a skink regrow its tail?
Yes, a skink's tail can regenerate after being shed.
Where does the word skink come from?
It entered English from Middle French scinc, which traces back through Latin to an Ancient Greek word for the same lizard.
What is the meaning of skink?
"skink" (noun) means a lizard of the family Scincidae, typically with small or reduced limbs and a long tail that can regrow if lost.
