Word
Definition
n. a short pole with a wide, flat end that you use to move a small boat through the water. You hold it with both hands and pull it through the water to go forward.
n. a short pole with a broad blade at one or both ends, used without a rowlock to propel a small craft such as a canoe.
Examples
“We used a wooden paddle to move the canoe across the lake.”
“After losing his paddle in the rapids, he had to use his hands to steer the kayak toward the shore.”
“The rhythmic splash of the paddle against the glass-like surface of the water was the only sound heard during their early morning excursion across the bay.”
Examples
simple
“We used a wooden paddle to move the canoe across the lake.”
contextual
“After losing his paddle in the rapids, he had to use his hands to steer the kayak toward the shore.”
complex
“The rhythmic splash of the paddle against the glass-like surface of the water was the only sound heard during their early morning excursion across the bay.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'to use' or 'to lose'; distinct from an 'oar' which is usually attached to the boat.
Etymology
Partly from the verb paddle ("to splash, dabble"; see below) and partly from Middle English padell (“small spade”). Middle English padell is from Medieval Latin padela, itself of uncertain origin: perhaps an alteration of Middle English *spaddle (see also spaddle), a diminutive of spade; or from Latin patella (“pan, plate”), the diminutive of patina, or a merger of the two. Compare Ancient Greek πηδάλιον (pēdálion, “rudder, steering oar”), derived from πηδόν (pēdón, “the blade of an oar; an oar”).
Recorded since 1530, probably cognate with Low German paddeln (“to tramp about”), frequentative form of padjen (“to tramp, run in short steps”), from pad (also in Dutch dialects). Compare also Saterland Frisian paddelje (“to paddle”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/paddle
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0