skerrick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (particularly outside Australasia and the UK)Informal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “skerrick” mean?
A tiny particle or fragment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tiny particle or fragment; the smallest amount.
Used in negative constructions to denote the complete absence of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Predominantly used in British and especially Australian/New Zealand English. Very rare and unfamiliar in mainstream American English.
Connotations
Informal, sometimes with a folksy or emphatic character. In Australia/NZ, it's a familiar colloquialism.
Frequency
Common in Australian English, occasional in UK/Irish English, extremely rare in American English where 'not a shred' or 'not a bit' is preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “skerrick” in a Sentence
not + a + skerrick + (of + NP)without + a + skerrick + (of + NP)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Highly informal; 'not a shred of evidence' would be preferred in legal or formal business contexts.
Academic
Not used in formal writing. May appear in informal speech among academics in relevant regions.
Everyday
Used in informal speech in Australia/NZ/UK, primarily in negative contexts to emphasise absence (e.g., 'There's not a skerrick of food left').
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skerrick”
- Using it in a positive sense (e.g., 'I have a skerrick') sounds odd.
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it is universally understood in American English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is common in informal Australian and, to a lesser extent, British English. It is very rare in American English.
It is almost never used positively. Its standard use is in negative constructions like 'not a skerrick' to emphasise a complete lack.
It is believed to be of British dialect origin, possibly from a word meaning a small piece or fragment, and was reinforced by similar-sounding words like 'scrap'.
It is informal or colloquial. It is not suitable for formal, academic, or business writing.
A tiny particle or fragment.
Skerrick: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskerɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskerɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not a skerrick”
- “without a skerrick of doubt”
- “not a skerrick of evidence”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'SKErrick' as the last tiny SKElETON or SCRAP of something. It's a 'sKerRick' – a small ROCK or particle.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS MASS/OBJECT (A tiny, negligible piece of a larger whole).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'skerrick' used correctly?