single sculls: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Sporting
Quick answer
What does “single sculls” mean?
A competitive rowing event using a boat designed for one person, who uses two oars (sculls) to propel the boat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A competitive rowing event using a boat designed for one person, who uses two oars (sculls) to propel the boat.
The boat itself used in the single sculls event; also refers to the sport or discipline of rowing such a boat. Can metaphorically describe a solitary, independent effort or pursuit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. US rowing commentary may use 'single' more frequently on its own as shorthand.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with Olympic/elite rowing, individual endurance, and technical precision.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general language, but standard within rowing communities in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “single sculls” in a Sentence
She rows [single sculls].The [single sculls] event is scheduled for 10am.He is a specialist in [single sculls].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “single sculls” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She hopes to single scull at the Henley Regatta next year.
American English
- He started to single-scull on the Charles River every morning.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in sports science literature discussing physiology of individual endurance sports.
Everyday
Virtually unused unless discussing rowing.
Technical
Standard term in rowing regatta schedules, rulebooks, coaching manuals, and sports journalism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “single sculls”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “single sculls”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “single sculls”
- Using 'single scull' for the event name (though acceptable for the boat). Confusing 'sculls' (the event/boat with two oars per rower) with 'sweep' rowing (one oar per rower).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically plural ('sculls' ends in 's') but refers to a singular event or boat class, so it takes a singular verb: 'Single sculls is my favourite event.'
In sculling, each rower uses two oars (sculls). In sweep rowing, each rower uses one oar. Single sculls is therefore always a sculling event.
Yes, it commonly refers to the racing shell itself, e.g., 'She bought a new single sculls.' The boat can also be called a 'single' or a 'single scull'.
In specific technical use, yes. In casual language, 'rowing solo' could mean any lone rowing, not necessarily in a sculling boat designed for competition.
A competitive rowing event using a boat designed for one person, who uses two oars (sculls) to propel the boat.
Single sculls is usually technical/sporting in register.
Single sculls: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋɡl skʌlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋɡl skʌlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: a SINGLE person uses two oars (sculls) — the 's' on both words reminds you it's one person but two blades.
Conceptual Metaphor
SINGLE SCULLS IS A SOLITARY JOURNEY: Used to describe any endeavor requiring intense, lonely, self-reliant effort (e.g., 'Writing that novel was like rowing single sculls').
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining feature of a single sculls boat?