paddle

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A two-handed implement consisting of a shaft with one or two blades attached to the end(s) used to propel a canoe, kayak or a small boat. A paddle is unattached to the boat and freely operated with the hands, compared with an oar which is attached to the boat at a pivot point.
2. (countable, uncountable) A two-handed implement consisting of a shaft with one or two blades attached to the end(s) used to propel a canoe, kayak or a small boat. A paddle is unattached to the boat and freely operated with the hands, compared with an oar which is attached to the boat at a pivot point.
3. (countable, uncountable) The use of a paddle to propel a boat; a session of paddling.
4. (countable, uncountable) A slat of a paddleboat's wheel.
5. (countable, uncountable) A paddlewheel.
6. (countable, uncountable) A blade of a waterwheel.
7. (countable, dated, uncountable) A game controller with a round wheel used to control player movement along one axis of the video screen.
8. (British, countable, uncountable) A meandering walk or dabble through shallow water, especially at the seaside.
9. (countable, uncountable) A kitchen utensil shaped like a paddle and used for mixing, beating etc.
10. (countable, uncountable) A broad, flat spanking implement.
11. (countable, uncountable) A broad, flat device used in striking the ball, analogous to a racket in tennis.
12. (countable, uncountable) A flat board with a number of holes or indentations, used to carry small alcoholic drinks such as shots.
13. (countable, uncountable) A flat limb of an aquatic animal, adapted for swimming.
14. (countable, uncountable) In a sluice, a panel that controls the flow of water.
15. (countable, uncountable) A handheld electrode used for defibrillation or cardioversion.
16. (countable, uncountable) A flipper in a pinball machine.
17. (countable, slang, uncountable) A person's hand.
18. (countable, uncountable) A flap of attached skin that has been cut away from a wound.
19. (alt-of, alternative, uncountable) Alternative form of padel.

Verb

1. (transitive) To propel something through water with a paddle, oar, hands, etc.
2. (intransitive) To row a boat with less than one's full capacity.
3. (transitive) To spank with a paddle.
4. To pat or stroke amorously or gently.
5. To tread upon; to trample.

Verb

1. (British, intransitive) To walk or dabble playfully in shallow water, especially at the seaside.
2. (intransitive) To dog paddle in water.
3. (intransitive) To toddle.
4. (archaic, intransitive) To toy or caress using hands or fingers.

Synonyms

oar

row

scull

waddle

splash

blade

wade

beat

spank

toddle

dabble

fin

totter

racket

vane

coggle

dodder

stroke

canoe

🛶

boat paddle

bat

🦇

propeller

splash around

web

wing

🪽

steer

flipper

🐬

stick

club

propel

racquet

outboard motor

pedal

larrup

mix

pole

disorganize

disarray

break

disarrange

derange

boating

confuse

blend

confect

hand

✋

fuddle

concoct

helm

baste

Translations

pagaie

pagayer

Paddel

pagaia

remo

remo

remar

paddeln

remo

peddelen

peddel

palette

κουπί

rame

Ruder

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpædl̩/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: padell

Cognate with Ancient Greek: πηδάλιον

Cognate with Low German: paddeln

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: paddelje

In summary

Partly from the verb paddle ("to splash, dabble"; see below) and partly from Middle English padell (“small spade”).
Middle English padell is from Medieval Latin padela, itself of uncertain origin: perhaps an alteration of Middle English *spaddle (see also spaddle), a diminutive of spade; or from Latin patella (“pan, plate”), the diminutive of patina, or a merger of the two. Compare Ancient Greek πηδάλιον (pēdálion, “rudder, steering oar”), derived from πηδόν (pēdón, “the blade of an oar; an oar”).