# skulduggery

> English word · Noun · IPA /skʌlˈdʌɡəɹi/ · frequency rank #96,486

## Definitions
1. A devious device or trick.
2. Dishonest, underhanded, or unscrupulous activities or behaviour.

## Etymology
An alteration of Scots sculduddery, sculdudrie (“adultery, unchaste behaviour; obscenity, lewdness”), of long-uncertain origin (probably a euphemism). Relation to skull is speculative at best and likely folk etymology. The American spelling skullduggery is in keeping with terms such as skillful and willful.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/skulduggery