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Glite Dictionary
skin-diver

skin-diver

1 5.0
A person who swims underwater with a mask and fins for fun or sport
  • noun
  • /ˈskɪnˌdaɪvər/
translation icon : buceador con snorkel
  • As a passionate skin diver, she explored vibrant coral reefs during her vacations.

Examples

  • He has been a porter, skin diver, artist, construction worker, hypnotist, and restaurant owner.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • "Skin divers salvaged much of the cargo, probably blasting down the sides of the hull to get at the cargo holds."

    Academic text (2011)

  • Skin divers often use snorkels to observe marine life while swimming close to the surface.

  • During the competition, the skin divers showcased their skills by performing underwater acrobatics.

Synonyms

diver
vsskin-diver
127 2.1

A person who goes underwater to swim or work, often with special gear

stays underwater for recreation using lighter gear like mask and fins
swimmer
vsskin-diver
125 1.0

A person who swims for sport, fun, or exercise

focuses on underwater activity using mask and fins for recreation or sport
snorkeler
vsskin-diver
  • US
1 2.6

A person who swims near the water surface using a snorkel to watch fish

dives deeper and uses fins and mask instead of only a breathing tube
natator
vsskin-diver
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who swims, often for sport or exercise

is more about underwater recreation using mask and fins

How Deep

scuba diver
7 3.2
skin-diver
1 5.0
snorkeler
  • US
1 2.6
swimmer
125 1.0

Surface Forms

skin-diver singular
skin-divers plural

Morphology

skin-diver = skin + diver (semi-transparent) = skin + diver

The compound clearly denotes a type of diver, but the modifier 'skin-' does not transparently indicate the exact equipment or style (diving without heavy breathing apparatus) to all learners.

Etymology

Skin-diver joins the simple words skin and diver to paint a clear picture: someone who dives using only their 'skin' or body, not heavy breathing gear. So a skin-diver is a person who swims underwater with a mask and fins, sometimes with a snorkel or air tank, for fun or sport.