Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Skim

   /skim/

   

   verb

   • 1. remove (a substance) from the surface of a liquid: "as the scum rises, skim it off" Similar removetake offscoop offspoon offladle offcream
   • ▪ remove a substance from the surface of (a liquid): "bring to the boil, then skim it to remove any foam"
   • ▪ steal or embezzle (money), especially in small amounts over a period of time: informal "she was skimming money from the household kitty"
   • ▪ fraudulently copy (credit or debit card details) with a card swipe or other device.
   • 2. go or move quickly and lightly over or on a surface or through the air: "he let his fingers skim across her shoulders" Similar glidemove lightlyslidesailplanescudskatefloatcoastaquaplaneskid
   • ▪ pass over (a surface), nearly or lightly touching it in the process: "we stood on the bridge, watching swallows skimming the water"
   • ▪ throw (a flat stone) low over an expanse of water so that it bounces on the surface several times: "he bent to pick up a small pebble, skimming it across the glittering water" Similar throwtossflingcastpitchbounceskip
   • 3. read (something) quickly or cursorily so as to note only the important points: "he sat down and skimmed the report" Similar glance throughflick throughflip throughleaf throughthumb throughread quicklyscanlook throughhave a quick look atrun one's eye overdip intobrowse throughOpposite pore over
   • ▪ deal with or treat (a subject) briefly or superficially: "she skimmed over her meeting with Roger—it had suddenly become rather difficult to speak of him" Similar mention brieflymake only brief mention ofpass over quicklyskate overgloss overskipOpposite elaborate on

   noun

   • 1. a thin layer of a substance on the surface of a liquid: "a skim of ice"
   • 2. an act of reading something quickly or superficially: "a quick skim through the pamphlet"

   Word Origin Middle English (in the sense ‘remove scum from (a liquid)’): back-formation from skimmer, or from Old French escumer, from escume ‘scum, foam’.

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • S

     1

   • K

     5

   • I

     1

   • M

     3

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less