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paddleA short pole with a flat wide end used for moving a small boat through water

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: A short pole with a flat wide end used for moving a small boat through water

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpædl/

Example Sentences

  • My kayak paddle broke, so I had to use my hands like a human windmill.
  • The kids were paddling in the shallow pool, splashing water everywhere.
  • He tried to paddle faster, but the duck still beat him to the shore.

paddle

NOUN

[/ˈpædl/]

A short pole with a flat wide end used for moving a small boat through water

The canoe guide paddled across the calm lake at sunrise.
💡 Concept

The canoe guide paddled across the calm lake at sunrise.

She used a paddle to steer the canoe through the river. (🛶 Canoe + 🪵 Paddle → Paddle)
🧠 Mnemonic

She used a paddle to steer the canoe through the river. (🛶 Canoe + 🪵 Paddle → Paddle)

They paddled, traveled down the river, and unraveled the mystery of the hidden island.
🎵 Rhyme

They paddled, traveled down the river, and unraveled the mystery of the hidden island.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈpædl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈpædl/

🌳Etymology

Rootpaddle

Origin

Paddle derives from Middle English 'padell', likely related to Latin 'patella' (small dish or pan). The term was applied to the flat, blade-like end of an oar due to its resemblance to a dish-shaped object.

Breakdown

patella (Latin: small dish) → padell (Middle English) → paddle (Early Modern English). The semantic shift reflects the visual similarity between the dish-like shape of the oar's blade and a shallow vessel.

🎵Rhyme

saddlestraddlebattle
saddle
straddle
battle

🔗Collocations

paddle a canoe
paddle wheel
paddle upstream
dog paddle
paddle tennis
ping pong paddle

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My kayak paddle broke, so I had to use my hands like a human windmill.

The kids were paddling in the shallow pool, splashing water everywhere.

😄 Fun example

He tried to paddle faster, but the duck still beat him to the shore.

The guide showed us the proper technique to paddle efficiently.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

oarbladescullpole

Antonyms

motorsail

Related

canoekayakrowingboatwater sports

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