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”

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

The storm did little to help Southern California’s major ski resorts, which have all closed for the season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

That’s what makes snow farming such a potentially vital tool for ski resorts and mountains.

From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026

A former fire safety official in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana remained silent when questioned Wednesday by prosecutors investigating a deadly New Year blaze, his lawyer said.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Neom recently canceled major construction contracts at a $38 billion luxury mountain project, meant to be the first outdoor ski resort in the Gulf.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

They were locked in place by those ski boot clamps.

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein