scoglio

rock; reef

noun SKOH-lyoh Rare

Origin: From Latin scopulus, from Greek skopos.

Also means

obstacle; stumbling block

Usage Note

Scoglio is masculine; the plural is scogli. It denotes a rock rising from the sea or a reef — nuotare tra gli scogli (to swim among the rocks). Figuratively, uno scoglio is a major obstacle or difficulty: il vero scoglio è il costo (the real stumbling block is the cost). Do not confuse with scollo (neckline).

Examples

"La barca si è arenata sullo scoglio."

Natural Translation

The boat ran aground on the rock.

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