skim

[ skim ]
See synonyms for skim on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),skimmed, skim·ming.
  1. to take up or remove (floating matter) from the surface of a liquid, as with a spoon or ladle: to skim the cream from milk.

  2. to clear (liquid) thus: to skim milk.

  1. to move or glide lightly over or along (a surface, as of water): The sailboat skimmed the lake.

  2. to throw in a smooth, gliding path over or near a surface, or so as to bounce or ricochet along a surface: to skim a stone across the lake.

  3. to read, study, consider, treat, etc., in a superficial or cursory manner.

  4. to cover, as a liquid, with a thin film or layer: Ice skimmed the lake at night.

  5. to take the best or most available parts or items from: Bargain hunters skimmed the flea markets early in the morning.

  6. to take (the best or most available parts or items) from something: The real bargains had been skimmed by early shoppers.

  7. Metallurgy. to remove (slag, scum, or dross) from the surface of molten metal.

  8. Slang. to conceal a portion of (winnings, earnings, etc.) in order to avoid paying income taxes, commissions, or the like on the actual total revenue (sometimes followed by off): The casino skimmed two million a year.

  9. to appropriate (credit or debit card information) electronically for illegal use: A hidden device can skim your account number while you’re pumping gas, paying for groceries, etc.

verb (used without object),skimmed, skim·ming.
  1. to pass or glide lightly over or near a surface.

  2. to read, study, consider, etc., something in a superficial or cursory way.

  1. to become covered with a thin film or layer.

  2. Slang. to conceal gambling or other profits so as to avoid paying taxes, etc.; practice skimming.

noun
  1. an act or instance of skimming.

  2. something that is skimmed off.

  1. a thin layer or film formed on the surface of something, especially a liquid, as the coagulated protein material formed on boiled milk.

  2. a thin layer, as of mortar.

  3. Slang. the amount taken or concealed by skimming.

  4. Obsolete. scum.

Origin of skim

1
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English skymen, skemen, variant of scumen “to skim,” perhaps from Old French escumer “to remove scum”; see scum

Other words for skim

Other words from skim

  • un·skimmed, adjective

Words Nearby skim

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use skim in a sentence

  • All summer we have had three calves that came to the orchard fence twice a day to get their ration of skim milk and feeding flour.

  • When the birds are done, skim off all grease, add the juice of a lemon, and serve hot.

    Dressed Game and Poultry la Mode | Harriet A. de Salis
  • You don't suppose, do you, I've had time since Tuesday to read all this through and skim off the cream?'

    Wandering Heath | Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
  • In our own little book we have been compelled to skim lightly, and, in many places, to pass over subjects of great interest.

    The Ocean and its Wonders | R.M. Ballantyne
  • Now, I have made a calculation, and I am satisfied that Mrs. skim can not possibly make much profit out of me.

British Dictionary definitions for skim

skim

/ (skɪm) /


verbskims, skimming or skimmed
  1. (tr) to remove floating material from the surface of (a liquid), as with a spoon: to skim milk

  2. to glide smoothly or lightly over (a surface)

  1. (tr) to throw (something) in a path over a surface, so as to bounce or ricochet: to skim stones over water

  2. (when intr, usually foll by through) to read (a book) in a superficial or cursory manner

  3. to cover (a liquid) with a thin layer or (of liquid) to become coated in this way, as with ice, scum, etc

noun
  1. the act or process of skimming

  2. material skimmed off a liquid, esp off milk

  1. the liquid left after skimming

  2. any thin layer covering a surface

Origin of skim

1
C15 skimmen, probably from scumen to skim; see scum

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012