Paddle
'pæd.əl
Definitions
4 meaningsA short, usually broad, blade, often with a handle, used to propel a boat or other watercraft.
'pæd.əl
A short, broad blade used for propelling a boat.
The canoeist dipped the paddle into the water and began to row.
💡 Simply: It's like a flat stick you use to move a canoe or kayak. Imagine you're trying to steer your little boat with this tool.
👶 For kids: A paddle is like a flat stick you use to push your boat in the water.
More Examples
He used a paddle to navigate the kayak down the river.
She held the paddle firmly, ready to change direction.
How It's Used
"She grabbed her paddle and climbed into the kayak."
"The paddle is essential equipment for playing table tennis."
To propel a boat or other watercraft through water using a paddle.
'pæd.əl
To propel a boat through water with a paddle.
We paddled silently through the mangroves.
💡 Simply: To move a boat in the water by using paddles. Like you’re gently pushing the water away to go forward.
👶 For kids: To move a boat using paddles, like you're pushing water away.
More Examples
The children learned how to paddle a canoe.
She paddled furiously to reach the shore.
How It's Used
"They paddled down the river, enjoying the scenery."
"We paddled across the lake to reach the island."
To strike or pat someone gently, often with a flat object.
'pæd.əl
To strike or pat someone gently with a flat object, usually as a form of punishment or discipline.
The parent threatened to paddle the child for misbehaving (historical/informal).
💡 Simply: To lightly hit someone, often on the bottom, usually in a playful or disciplinary way.
👶 For kids: To lightly hit someone with your hand or a flat object.
More Examples
The coach paddled him on the back for doing well.
He paddled the sand to make it even.
How It's Used
"The teacher threatened to paddle the students who misbehaved."
To play in shallow water, usually with the hands and feet, splashing about.
'pæd.əl
To play in shallow water, splashing around playfully.
The children enjoyed paddling in the shallow pool.
💡 Simply: To splash around playfully in the water. It's like kids having fun playing in a pool or a beach.
👶 For kids: To play and splash around in shallow water.
More Examples
They were paddling and splashing happily in the puddles.
The dog loved to paddle in the water.
How It's Used
"The kids were paddling in the shallow end of the pool, having fun."
Idioms & expressions
up the creek without a paddle
In a difficult situation with no way out.
"Without a car, we were up the creek without a paddle."
From Middle English *padelen*, likely from Proto-Germanic *pad- (to tread, trample), related to Old English *pæd* (path, track). The verb developed to describe the act of propelling a boat using a paddle and also, relatedly, to describe splashing playfully in water or hitting a light object with the hand or a paddle-shaped object.
The verb 'paddle' and the related noun have been used since the early 14th century. Early usages referred to beating or striking, before shifting focus to watercraft propulsion.
Memory tip
Think of a hand extended to *paddle* through the water.