ski

American  

[skee] / ski /

Rarely skee

noun

plural

skis,

plural

ski

1. one of a pair of long, slender runners made of wood, plastic, or metal used in gliding over snow.

2. water ski.

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verb (used without object)

skied, skiing

1. to travel on skis, as for sport.

verb (used with object)

skied, skiing

1. to use skis on; travel on skis over.

   to ski the slopes of Switzerland.

ski British  

/ skiː /

noun

1. 1. one of a pair of wood, metal, or plastic runners that are used for gliding over snow. Skis are commonly attached to shoes for sport, but may also be used as landing gear for aircraft, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a ski boot

2. a water-ski

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verb

1. (intr) to travel on skis

Other Word Forms

• skiable adjective
• skier noun
• skiing noun

Etymology

Origin of ski

First recorded in 1745–55; from Norwegian; Old Norse skīth; cognate with Old English scīd “strip of wood,” German Scheit “thin board”

Example Sentences

Giant steel structures meant to hold hotels and a massive set of elevated ski runs have risen in what was meant to be a ski village.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Competitors ski, push and pull sleds, row, burpee, lunge and throw heavy medicine balls at a target in an effort to finish in the fastest time.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

"If ski resorts in Japan had stayed the way they used to be, they would never have gained such worldwide renown," said Hiroshi Hasegawa, director of a local real estate agency.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

The managers of the ski lifts expressed their shock at the accident and director Norbert Patt said "our thoughts are with the victim's loved ones".

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

I woke up in the body of some kid who was in the middle of a ski trip.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan