skullduggery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-FrequencyFormal or Literary
Quick answer
What does “skullduggery” mean?
dishonest, secret, or underhanded behavior.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
dishonest, secret, or underhanded behavior; trickery.
Deceitful or crafty machinations, especially in political or business contexts; unscrupulous scheming.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'skulduggery' is the original and primary British form. 'Skullduggery' with two 'l's is a common American variant.
Connotations
Identical in meaning and connotation. Both spellings are understood in each region.
Frequency
More common in British English. In American English, it is recognized but considered somewhat literary or dated.
Grammar
How to Use “skullduggery” in a Sentence
[NP] be involved in skullduggeryaccuse [NP] of skullduggerysuspect [NP] of skullduggeryVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe unethical corporate espionage, accounting fraud, or backroom deals.
Academic
Rare; might appear in political science or history texts discussing political corruption.
Everyday
Very rare. Used humorously or dramatically to describe perceived underhanded actions in a group or competition.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “skullduggery”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “skullduggery”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skullduggery”
- Misspelling as 'scullduggery' or 'skulduggary'.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a skullduggery'). It is non-count.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Skulduggery' is the original British spelling, and 'skullduggery' is a common variant, especially in American English.
Yes, it is relatively formal and literary. It is not common in casual conversation, where words like 'trickery' or 'dirty tricks' might be used instead.
No. It is exclusively a noun. You cannot say 'to skulldugger' or 'a skullduggery plan'.
It is an alteration of the Scottish word 'sculdudrie', which meant 'adultery' or 'obscenity'. The modern meaning evolved in the 19th century.
dishonest, secret, or underhanded behavior.
Skullduggery: in British English it is pronounced /ˌskʌlˈdʌɡəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌskəlˈdəɡəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “up to skullduggery”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'skull' plotting something 'dirty' (dug) in a 'cemetery' (-ery). A skull doing dirty deeds = skullduggery.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISHONESTY IS A SECRET PLOT / CORRUPTION IS A DIRTY GAME.
Practice
Quiz
Which context is 'skullduggery' LEAST likely to be used in?