Words / A2

PADL/ˈpædl/

A paddle is a short oar for a canoe or small boat: pick up a paddle, a kayak paddle. Oar is often longer, for a rowing boat. Paddle as a verb also means walk in shallow water (paddle in the sea) — extra A2 holiday sense. Pedal is for a bicycle — easy mix-up. Do not write paddle when you mean pedal, or puddle.

Meaning

A short oar used to move a small boat; also a walk in shallow water as a verb.

Examples

• “Grab a paddle before you get into the canoe.”
• “Each person in the canoe needs a paddle.”
• “The children paddled at the edge of the lake.”

Good to know

a canoe paddle. Verb extra: paddle in the sea. Mix-ups: pedal (bike), puddle.

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