scuttle - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
scuttle Word Meanings
- to run hurriedly with short quick steps
- to sink (as a ship) deliberately
- a container for coal
scuttle Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
scuttle Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈskʌt.əl/
US
/ˈskʌt.əl/
scuttle Word Etymology
scut- = to run quickly, -tle = diminutive suffix; origin: Middle English → Old Norse; image: picture a crab scurrying sideways.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Scuttle is a compact, energetic verb meaning to move quickly with short, brisk steps. It is often used for small creatures or people who dart about to escape danger, and it can carry a slightly playful or vivid tone. There is also a nautical, deliberate sense: to sink a ship intentionally by opening hull holes or scuttling doors. As a noun, a scuttle is a small container for coal or other loose material, typically with a lid. The word conveys swift motion and a concrete image, and learners should distinguish the verb’s two senses from the noun’s everyday object meaning. Etymology ties scut- to running fast and -tle to a diminutive feel, with roots in Middle English and Old Norse.
Usage Reminders
- Move fast with short steps; do not imply a leisurely pace
- Differentiate verb vs noun usage
- Nautical sinking sense is formal/technical
- Coal scuttle is a real historical object
- Avoid confusing with walk, run, or scramble
- Remember the noun is a container, not a general bucket
Common Misconceptions
- It means to crawl slowly; not true
- Cannot be a container for everyday items
- Only nautical sense is correct, other senses wrong
- Confuse with scuttlebutt (rumor)
- Think it means to scatter rather than move quickly
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker (meta, keep short)
Learning Tips
- Practice quick dash verbs with actions: jump, skip, dash
- Compare scuttle with sprint and scurry to feel nuance
- Use coal container sense in historical texts
- Note that scuttle as verb has a nautical meaning
- Remember scuttle is concrete imagery, avoid abstract verbs
- Create flashcards linking the senses to examples
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'scuttle'?
A.Drift
B.Run
C.Crawl
D.Destroy
Step 2: Usage
In which sentence is 'scuttle' used correctly?
A.They played scuttle.
B.She sang a scuttle.
C.He scuttled down the street.
D.The cat climbed the scuttle.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'scuttle'?
A.Preserve
B.Eradicate
C.Secure
D.Ruined
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'scuttle'?
A.Save
B.Ravage
C.Sprint
D.Compress
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you use the word 'scuttle'?
A.In a library
B.During a party
C.At a construction site
D.At a swimming pool
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