ski

American  

[skee] / ski /

Rarely skee

noun

skis plural

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”

Explanation

Skis are sporting equipment—long, thin pieces of wood, plastic, or metal that you strap to your feet so you can glide across the snow or down a snowy hill. To slide down a mountain on skis is to ski. You can also cross country ski, or move across flat, snowy ground and gentle hills on skis. The special boots that skiers wear are called ski boots, and you also need a ski helmet and ski goggles when you go skiing. In its earliest English use, the word was spelled skee, and it's rooted in the Old Norse skið, "long snowshoe."

Example Sentences

There are trees that ski, and train whistles with big lips and high heels, modeled after harmony group the Andrews Sisters.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Cooper would certainly have found it funny that while delivering this heartfelt tribute, Lisa is wearing a truly garish bright pink ski suit.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

A light dusting of snow fell on the area on Monday, signalling the upcoming start of the ski season.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

My ski pass stays in my desk drawer, and each weekday as I sign off from work, I tap my phone to the pass to disable all the most tempting stuff from my device.

From Slate • Apr. 26, 2026

I’d watched friends in high school go off on ski trips with their Jack and Jill groups.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama