skill
1 Americannoun
-
skills
plural
-
the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well.
Carpentry was one of his many skills.
- Synonyms:
- facility, proficiency
- Antonyms:
- inability
-
competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity.
The dancers performed with skill.
- Synonyms:
- cleverness, deftness
-
a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience.
the skill of cabinetmaking.
-
Obsolete. understanding; discernment.
-
Obsolete. reason; cause.
verb (used without object)
-
to matter.
-
to help; avail.
noun
-
special ability in a task, sport, etc, esp ability acquired by training
-
something, esp a trade or technique, requiring special training or manual proficiency
-
obsolete understanding
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of skill1
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Old Norse skil “distinction, difference”; cognate with Dutch geschil “difference, quarrel”; see skill 2 ( def. )
Origin of skill2
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English skilien, from Old Norse skilja “to distinguish, divide,” akin to skil ( see skill 1 ( def. )), Old English scylian “to separate,” Gothic skilja “butcher,” Lithuanian skélti “to split”
Explanation
If you have an ability that required practice, training, or experience, you have a skill. His welding skill allowed him to create wonderful pieces of art out of metal plumbing pipes. He called his best work "Peace Pipes." Chess is a game of skill, but Old Maid is a game of luck. The noun skill comes from an Old Norse word, skil, which means distinction. His swimming skills left a lot to be desired: he flailed around in the pool, churning up water like an egg beater. It kept him from drowning, but it didn't look pretty. You're supposed to learn basic math and reading skills in elementary school.
Vocabulary lists containing skill
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Ellis Simms: The striker battled hard against Gabriel and beat him once with a nice piece of skill.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
“If they want to get ahead, invest in an appreciating asset, and the best one is themselves — their career, training, skill set, connections and ability to be flexible.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026
"Luck is for losers. In our line of work, it's skill and courage," came the reply.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
It’s a lifestyle not entirely dissimilar to the rigorous training of an ice-skating prodigy, putting in the work at all hours to hone their skill.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026
Booth’s skill at avoiding the manhunters increased the government’s embarrassment over its failure to find him.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
Businesses including PricewaterhouseCoopers and law firm Freshfields are bringing in more apprentices, saying it helps them tap a wider pool of candidates who can develop skills over a longer period.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026
We observe them lamenting how powerless they feel: Their medical skills can do some good, but not nearly enough.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
Many welcome volunteers free of charge and provide tools and equipment, making it easy to get outdoors, meet new people and learn new skills.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
Yes, a non-compete is legal if employees are “going to a competitor with specialized skills they gained on the job,” according to the New York Attorney General’s website.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
They might not get a chance to show off their sword-fighting skills, but the Hardy Boys did have one other special talent—solving mysteries.
From "Hopping Mad (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #4)" by Franklin W. Dixon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
