skim Hear it!

skim Definition

skim (skim)

transitive verb skimmed, skim·ming

    1. to clear (a liquid) of floating matter
    2. to remove (floating matter) from a liquid
  1. to coat or cover with a thin layer a pond skimmed with ice
  2. to look at hastily or carelessly; glance through (a book, etc.) without reading word for word
    1. to glide or pass swiftly and lightly over
    2. to throw so as to cause to bounce or ricochet swiftly and lightly to skim a flat stone across a pond
  3. Slang to refrain from reporting for tax purposes (a percentage of income, gambling gains, etc.)

Etymology: ME skimen, prob. akin to scum

intransitive verb

  1. to move along swiftly and lightly over a surface, through space, etc.; glide; sail
  2. to make a rapid or careless examination, as of a book: usually with over or through
  3. to become thinly coated, as with scum

noun

  1. something that has been skimmed
  2. the act of skimming
  3. a thin coating or film

adjective

  1. that has been skimmed
  2. designating or of a finishing coat of plaster skim coat

skim Synonyms

skim

v.

  1. To pass lightly and swiftly

    soar, float, sail, dart; see fly 1.

  2. To remove the top; especially, to remove cream

    brush, scoop, ladle, separate; see dip 2, remove 1.

  3. To read swiftly

    look through, brush over, scan; see browse, examine 1, read 1.

skim Usage Examples

Object

  • milk: However, skimmed milk isn't suitable for children under five years old.
  • crossbar: Salt then conjured a superb 20-yard volley that skimmed the crossbar.
  • powder: If you're very worried then substitute 1/2 cup of skim milk powder for 2 eggs, but don't replace more than that.
  • pebble: Relax with an ice cream and enjoy Kent's coast or simply skim pebbles in the sea.
  • surface: Bring to the boil, skimming the surface of any foam.
  • semi: Nutritional Information A bowl of porridge with skimmed or semi skimmed milk provides a low fat, high carbohydrate breakfast or snack.

Preposition: over

surface: Never was boy more taken by surprise; he went skimming over the surface like a stone from a sling.

Modifying Another Word

  • lightly: These have been skimmed lightly in the lathe with each wheel mounted on a tapered arbor.
  • merely: Most travelers will start their journey in Sydney, merely skimming the surface of what's on offer in this dynamic city.
  • quickly: I quickly skimmed through the media to be reminded that I could boot from the rescue floppy.
  • just: We would advise just skimming through these reports in case anything stands out.

Preposition: across

surface: The Bullet is now free to skim across the surface, back to you with the minimum of effort.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • off: Every few hours, skim off more being careful to only skim off the cream, not the milk.
  • over: We have noted already his tendency to skim over issues without explaining them properly.

Particle object:

  • scum: Gently bring to a simmer and skim off the scum as it forms on the surface.
  • fat: To make the gravy skim off any excess fat from the roasting tin.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • through: Often the ball would skim through fast in a spray of water.
  • over: It is what is left out or skimmed over that causes major concern.
  • along: The right whales for example, feed by skimming along at or near the water surface.
  • off: The top 23 drivers - from all classes, remember - would be skimmed off to go into the final.

Browse dictionary entries near skim

  1. skills-based routing
  2. Skilling, Jeffrey K.
  3. skilling
  4. skillful
  5. skillet
  6. skilled
  7. skill
  8. skilful
  9. skijoring
  10. skiffle
  1. skim milk
  2. skimble-scamble
  3. skimmer
  4. skimming
  5. skimobile
  6. skimp
  7. skimpy
  8. skin
  9. skin-deep
  10. skin diver