Definition

Noun: - Underwater swimming without any more breathing equipment than a snorkel: The activity of swimming and exploring underwater while holding one's breath or using only a snorkel for breathing at the surface. It does not involve the use of a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba).

Usage

• General Use: The term is used to describe the recreational or sporting activity of diving underwater without an air tank.
  • During our vacation in Hawaii, we tried skin diving to see the coral reefs up close.
  • He prefers skin diving to scuba diving because it feels more free and natural.

Advanced Usage

• As a Modifier: The term can be used attributively to describe related gear or activities.
  • She bought a new skin diving mask and fins.
  • The skin diving competition tests how long and deep participants can dive on a single breath.

Variants and Related Words

• Skin-dive (verb): To engage in the activity of skin diving.
  • We plan to skin-dive around the bay tomorrow morning.
• Skin Diver (noun): A person who engages in skin diving.
  • The skin diver surfaced with a beautiful shell.

Synonyms

• Freediving: A more modern term often used synonymously with skin diving, though it can emphasize competitive aspects like depth or duration.
• Snorkeling: While often used interchangeably, snorkeling typically focuses more on surface swimming with a snorkel, whereas skin diving emphasizes repeated dives below the surface.
• Breath-hold diving: A descriptive term highlighting the technique of diving while holding one's breath.

Related Phrases

• To go skin diving: The common phrase for participating in the activity.
  • Let's go skin diving while the water is clear.

Noun

1. underwater swimming without any more breathing equipment than a snorkel