What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
skitter
Example
The spider skittered across the floor and disappeared under the couch. [skittered: past tense]
Example
The child's eyes skittered nervously around the room during the exam. [skittered: verb]
scuttle
Example
The crab scuttled away when it saw us approaching. [scuttled: past tense]
Example
She scuttled across the street to avoid being seen by her ex-boyfriend. [scuttled: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scuttle is more commonly used than skitter in everyday language. Scuttle has a wider range of contexts and can be used to describe various types of movements, while skitter is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between skitter and scuttle?
Both skitter and scuttle are informal words and are not typically used in formal writing or speech.
