skeet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2specialised, sport, informal
Quick answer
What does “skeet” mean?
A sport of shooting at clay targets thrown into the air from two fixed points.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sport of shooting at clay targets thrown into the air from two fixed points.
A recreational shooting discipline where participants aim at clay disks launched to simulate the flight of game birds; sometimes used informally to refer to rapid, casual shooting or throwing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is understood in both varieties, but the sport is generally more popular and has deeper historical roots in the US. In UK English, 'clay pigeon shooting' is a more common general term, with 'skeet' specifying one discipline.
Connotations
In both: associated with sport, leisure, and skill. In the US, may have stronger connotations of a traditional, widespread pastime. In the UK, may be seen as a more niche, specialist sport.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse. Higher frequency within communities interested in shooting sports.
Grammar
How to Use “skeet” in a Sentence
[Subject] shoots skeet.[Subject] practises skeet.[Subject] is a skeet shooter.Let's go for a round of skeet.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skeet” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He plans to skeet every weekend this summer.
- They were skeeting at the county grounds.
American English
- We skeeted all afternoon at the ranch.
- She loves to skeet more than trap.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; typically not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not standard; typically not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- He bought a new skeet vest.
- The skeet championship is held in July.
American English
- She's a skeet shooting instructor.
- They modified the shotgun for skeet loads.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in the context of sporting goods, event management, or tourism (e.g., 'resort with skeet facilities').
Academic
Rare, except in historical or sociological studies of sport.
Everyday
Very low frequency. Used when discussing hobbies or weekend activities within specific groups.
Technical
High frequency within the specific domain of shooting sports. Precise definitions of fields, rules, and equipment.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “skeet”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “skeet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skeet”
- Confusing 'skeet' with 'trap' (another clay target discipline).
- Using 'skeet' as a general synonym for all shooting.
- Misspelling as 'skeat' or 'skeete'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In skeet, targets are launched from two houses (high and low) at fixed angles, simulating crossing shots. In trap, targets are launched from a single house away from the shooter at varying angles.
Yes, skeet shooting has been an Olympic event since 1968, with separate competitions for men and women.
Yes, informally within the sport community (e.g., 'We skeeted all morning'). It is less common in formal writing, where 'shoot skeet' or 'practise skeet' is preferred.
It usually refers to a shotgun with features optimised for the sport, such as a wider choke for a spread pattern suitable for the closer, crossing targets in skeet.
A sport of shooting at clay targets thrown into the air from two fixed points.
Skeet is usually specialised, sport, informal in register.
Skeet: in British English it is pronounced /skiːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /skiːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No major idioms. 'Break them all' is a phrase used for a perfect round in skeet.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"SKEET" sounds like 'SKIll' and 'shooT' – a sport requiring skill to shoot.
Conceptual Metaphor
AIMING IS A SPORT (The abstract concept of aiming/accuracy is structured by the experience of a formalised sport).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the primary meaning of 'skeet'?