paddle
paddle Lexical Profile
paddle Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A short pole with a broad, flat blade at one or both ends, held in the hands without an oarlock to propel and steer a small watercraft such as a canoe or kayak.
"She gripped the wooden paddle firmly as the canoe approached the river rapids."
A small, short-handled racket with a solid flat face, used for striking the ball in table tennis or similar court games.
"He bought a new table tennis paddle with a high-friction rubber surface to improve his spin."
A flat-bladed utensil or mechanical attachment used for stirring, mixing, or beating food, liquids, or industrial materials.
"Attach the flat mixing paddle to the stand mixer before creaming the butter and sugar together."
A broad, flattened limb, fin, or webbed foot of an aquatic animal such as a sea turtle, seal, or duck, adapted for swimming.
"The sea turtle used its powerful front paddles to glide effortlessly through the reef."
• verb
To propel or steer a small boat, canoe, or surfboard through the water using a paddle or one's hands.
"They paddled across the calm mountain lake just as the morning mist began to rise."
To swim with short, quick strokes of the limbs or webbed feet (especially of waterfowl or aquatic animals).
"A family of mallard ducks paddled quietly along the edge of the reed bed."
British To walk barefoot or play in shallow water at the edge of the sea, a lake, or a stream.
"The children rolled up their trousers and paddled in the cool surf along the beach."
American To strike or spank someone with a flat wooden implement as a form of corporal punishment.
"Decades ago, it was not uncommon for school principals to paddle unruly students."
Word Nuance & Usage
Unlike an 'oar', which is secured to the side of a boat by an oarlock or pivot, a 'paddle' is held freely in the hands to propel and steer a canoe or kayak.
• Rhymes for paddle
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Attested in late Middle English (early 15th century) denoting a small spade used to clear a plowshare, of uncertain origin, though likely related to Low German or Dutch words for a flat blade or sole of the foot.