Meaning & Definition of word "Skim"
to
Skim
/skɪm/
noun:
- 1. A thin layer that is formed on the surface of a liquid.
- Example: There was a skim of ice on the pond after the cold night.
verb:
- 1. To remove a substance from the surface of a liquid.
- Example: She skimmed the foam off the top of the soup.
- 2. To read or glance through quickly.
- Example: He skimmed the article before deciding to read it more thoroughly.
- 3. To glide or slide over a surface, typically water.
- Example: The boat skimmed across the lake's surface.
Etymology
Middle English 'skimmen', from Old Norse 'skíma' meaning 'to glimmer, shine'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
skim the surface:
To examine a topic superficially without going into depth.
skim milk:
Milk from which the cream has been removed.
skim read:
To read quickly to get a general idea of the content.
Related Words
skimmer:
A device or person that removes surface material.
skimpy:
Insufficient in quantity or size.
Slang Meanings of skim
Meaning: To cheat or take advantage of someone subtly.
Example Sentence: He tried to skim some money off the top during the transaction.
Meaning: To briefly check out something (like a website or social media post).
Example Sentence: I just skimmed through his profile to see his recent activity.