skinny-dip: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “skinny-dip” mean?
To swim naked in a natural body of water such as a lake, river, or sea.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To swim naked in a natural body of water such as a lake, river, or sea.
The act or instance of swimming naked outdoors. Can also describe the social event or pastime centered around this activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically in meaning and register. Spelling is consistently hyphenated. No significant dialectal variation.
Connotations
Similar connotations of informality, fun, and slight mischievousness in both cultures.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English due to greater cultural references in film and media, but well-understood and used in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “skinny-dip” in a Sentence
[Subject] skinny-dips (intransitive)[Subject] goes for a skinny-dipVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skinny-dip” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After the wedding, a few brave guests ran down to the cove to skinny-dip.
- They'd often skinny-dip in the loch at dawn.
American English
- We decided to skinny-dip in the quarry after dark.
- The campers secretly skinny-dipped in the mountain lake.
adverb
British English
- They swam skinny-dip, feeling the cool water on their skin.
- (Usage as adverb is rare and highly informal)
American English
- They went swimming skinny-dip, laughing the whole time.
- (Usage as adverb is rare and highly informal)
adjective
British English
- It was a classic skinny-dip adventure, straight out of a summer novel.
- They shared a skinny-dip moment under the full moon.
American English
- He told a funny story about a skinny-dip escapade from his college days.
- The party had a skinny-dip vibe, though everyone kept their suits on.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used except in anthropological or cultural studies discussing recreational practices.
Everyday
Common in informal storytelling among friends, recalling holiday or youthful adventures.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “skinny-dip”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “skinny-dip”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skinny-dip”
- Using it transitively (e.g., 'He skinny-dipped the lake' - incorrect).
- Confusing it with simply being nude indoors.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a standard, informal term. It is playful and slightly cheeky but not vulgar.
Yes, commonly. Example: 'We went for a quick skinny-dip before breakfast.'
It originates from early 20th-century American English. 'Skinny' refers to showing one's skin, and 'dip' refers to the act of immersing oneself in water.
Primarily yes, for the act of swimming or bathing. Simply standing nude in water is not typically called skinny-dipping.
To swim naked in a natural body of water such as a lake, river, or sea.
Skinny-dip is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Skinny-dip: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskɪn.i ˌdɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskɪn.i ˌdɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Let's go skinny-dipping!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone dipping into the water so quickly their 'skin' is all you see ('skinny-dip').
Conceptual Metaphor
FREEDOM IS BEING UNENCUMBERED BY CLOTHING; NATURE IS A PLACE FOR AUTHENTICITY.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'skinny-dip' specifically imply?