snorkeling

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablesport

   The activity of swimming near the surface of the water with a mask and a breathing tube to look at underwater life.

   Grammar: No a/an: we went snorkeling, not we did a snorkeling.

   Patterns

   • go snorkeling
   • snorkeling in somewhere

   Snorkeling is a great way to see tropical fish without special training.

   We spent the morning snorkeling in a calm bay.

   Snorkeling equipment can be rented at the beach.

2. 2verbintransitive

   Swimming with a mask and breathing tube; the -ing form of snorkel.

   Grammar: No object: she is snorkeling near the reef.

   Patterns

   • snorkeling in somewhere
   • snorkeling with someone

   They are snorkeling above the coral reef.

   He was snorkeling when he spotted a turtle.

   We love snorkeling with our kids in shallow water.

Word forms

Common combinations

go snorkeling

Let's go snorkeling after breakfast.

snorkeling gear

Pack your snorkeling gear in the beach bag.

snorkeling trip

The snorkeling trip left at nine o'clock.

snorkeling mask

A good snorkeling mask should fit tightly on the face.

snorkeling and diving

The resort offers snorkeling and diving lessons.

Synonyms and how they differ

skin diving

Skin diving is the older, broader term that includes free diving, while snorkeling mainly means floating near the surface.

scuba diving

Scuba diving uses an air tank to go deep, while snorkeling uses only a tube near the surface.

swimming

Swimming is general, and snorkeling specifically involves a mask and a breathing tube.

Word family

snorkel noun

the breathing tube used in this activity

snorkel verb

to swim using a tube

snorkeler noun

a person who snorkels

snorkeled verb

past tense of snorkel

Commonly confused: snorkeling or scuba diving?

Practice

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