What does skull mean?
A skull is the strong bony framework that encloses the brain and supports the structure of the head. In medicine, archaeology, and anatomy, the word usually refers to this physical structure, including the skull's intricate bones and its vulnerability to fractures. In figurative contexts, “skull” can stand for the head or for a person's reasoning, as when someone is said to have a thick skull. The rarer verb “to skull” means to hit or threaten someone so violently that they are terrified. Although the noun is standard in both British and American English, the verb has a more informal, threatening character. The word is useful in discussions that range from precise anatomical description and historical study to idiomatic expressions about thought, stubbornness, and intimidation.
The hard, bony structure that surrounds and protects the brain.
"The museum displays a human skull beside an ancient pottery vessel."
Figuratively, it can refer to the head or to a person's mind, especially in expressions such as “thick skull.”
To hit or threaten someone in a way intended to kill or terrify them.
"He threatened to skull anyone who followed him."
This is an informal and relatively uncommon verb, normally used in a context of extreme intimidation or violence.
“Skull” is a countable noun and normally takes “a” in the singular and “skulls” in the plural.
"The excavation uncovered several animal skulls buried beside the remains."
One word can name both the skull and an act of intimidation: to skull someone means to threaten or hit them so violently that they are terrified.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does skull come from?
The word entered Middle English as “skull,” probably through Old Norse “skjall,” an Old Norse word associated with a shell or the skull. Its wider Germanic connections include forms such as Swedish “skalle” and Danish “skal,” while “shell” is also commonly identified as a related English word. The original sense of a hard outer covering gradually developed into the modern anatomical meaning and its figurative uses.
Related word forms
How skull is actually used
As a noun, “skull” is common in anatomy, medicine, archaeology, and discussions of injury; figurative uses referring to the head or mind are common but often less formal. As a verb, “skull” is chiefly informal and conveys a violent or menacing threat.
Easily confused with skull
A skull is the bony structure of the head, whereas a scull is an oar or a small boat propelled with oars.