skink

1 of 2

verb

ˈskiŋk How to pronounce skink (audio)
skinked; skinking; skinks

transitive verb

chiefly dialectal
: to draw, pour out, or serve (drink)

skink

2 of 2

noun

: any of a family (Scincidae) of typically small insectivorous lizards with long tapering bodies

Examples of skink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The skinks also face rising predation threats and the risk of bushfires. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 2 Feb. 2026 Look in bushes and under rocks and into streams to find frogs, snakes, and species like king cobras, tiny resplendent bush frogs, and the limbless skinks of the desert dunes. — Condé Nast Traveller, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Mar. 2025 On another stretch of forest floor, a tiny mabuya skink darted after the red beam of Ratsimanadino laser pointer. — Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 30 Sep. 2025 Or check out the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, where bears, miniature donkeys, macaques, a skink, birds and more live. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skink

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Middle Dutch schenken; akin to Old English scencan to pour out drink and probably to scanca shank

Noun

Latin scincus, from Greek skinkos

First Known Use

Verb

1866, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1590, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skink was in 1590

Rhymes for skink

See All Rhymes for skink

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Skink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skink. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

skink

noun
ˈskiŋk
: any of a family of mostly small lizards with smooth scales

More from Merriam-Webster on skink

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skink

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