Skype

American  

[skahyp] / skaɪp /

Trademark.

1. a brand name for a software application and online service that enables voice and video phone calls over the internet.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to participate in a real-time conversation with (one or more people) using Skype.

Etymology

Origin of Skype

First recorded in 2000–05; short for “Sky peer-to-peer”

Example Sentences

Niklas Zennström, the billionaire founder of internet-telecommunications pioneer Skype, said the privatizations helped fuel innovation in sectors like telecoms, which have underpinned the country’s tech boom.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

They stayed in touch through daily Skype calls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

That was the beginning of a lot of book club visits, some in person, many virtual first via Skype and then, during and after the pandemic, via Zoom.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

While Skype fell away in recent years, it still had millions of users - with the website Statista stating it had almost 28 million as of March last year.

From BBC • May 3, 2025

We IM in short bursts during the day in between my Skype classes.

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon