What does scuttle mean?
To scuttle is to move away quickly and often furtively, as when a small animal runs for cover or a person hurries to avoid notice. The word can also mean to deliberately sink or destroy a ship, making it sound more dramatic than simply damaging or abandoning a vessel. In everyday use, “scuttle away” and “scuttle through” suggest quick, slightly furtive movement, while “scuttle a ship” belongs to maritime, military, or historical language. Although the verb is the best-known use, scuttle is also a chiefly North American noun meaning a cockroach. The word is useful because it combines speed with secrecy or nervousness, and it has a distinct, more forceful meaning when applied to ships.
To move quickly or furtively, especially by running or scurrying away.
"The mouse scuttled behind the curtains."
Often suggests hurried, nervous, or furtive movement.
To sink or deliberately destroy a ship.
"The crew scuttled the vessel to prevent it from being captured."
A maritime and historical usage; it implies intentionally sending a ship down or making it unusable.
Chiefly North American: a cockroach.
"A scuttle hurried across the kitchen floor."
Informal or regional; in British English, cockroach is more usual.
The plural is used chiefly in the noun sense meaning cockroaches.
"Several scuttles appeared beneath the sink."
One compact word can mean both hurried movement and the sinking of a ship.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scuttle come from?
The exact origin of the verb is uncertain, but it was recorded in Middle English with the sense of running away or moving swiftly. Its separate meaning for destroying a ship developed later, by extension from the idea of sending a vessel down or preventing it from continuing its voyage. The noun meaning a cockroach is chiefly North American and is probably a later development.
How scuttle is actually used
In its sense of moving away, scuttle often suggests hurried, furtive, or nervous movement. In the sense of destroying a vessel, it is formal and specifically implies sinking or disabling a ship rather than simply abandoning it.
Easily confused with scuttle
Scurry generally means to move quickly with short, hurried steps, whereas scuttle often adds the idea of fleeing or moving furtively.
Scrap means to discard or throw away something, while scuttle a ship specifically means to sink or destroy it.