skill

¹

[skil]

noun

1. 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

2. competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity.

   The dancers performed with skill.

   Synonyms: cleverness, deftness

3. a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience.

   the skill of cabinetmaking.

4. Obsolete.,  understanding; discernment.

5. Obsolete.,  reason; cause.

skill

²

[skil]

verb (used without object)

Archaic.

1. to matter.

2. to help; avail.

skill

/ skɪl /

noun

1. special ability in a task, sport, etc, esp ability acquired by training

2. something, esp a trade or technique, requiring special training or manual proficiency

3. obsolete,  understanding

Other Word Forms

• skill-less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of skill¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Old Norse skil “distinction, difference”; cognate with Dutch geschil “difference, quarrel”; skill ² ( def. )

Origin of skill²

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English skilien, from Old Norse skilja “to distinguish, divide,” akin to skil ( skill ¹ ( def. ) ), Old English scylian “to separate,” Gothic skilja “butcher,” Lithuanian skélti “to split”

Word History and Origins

Origin of skill¹

C12: from Old Norse skil distinction; related to Middle Low German schēle, Middle Dutch geschil difference

Example Sentences

He thought employers would be impressed by his skill set, and overlook the degree he didn’t finish and the years of software-development experience he didn’t possess.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The owners of real estate have always moved, and the richer, the professionals, the ones with “mobile” skills did so faster than others.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

All countries should strive to build skills and opportunities for people across their working lives, independent of the ebbs and flows among firms.

Read more on Barron's

Taylor was a steel-plant manager and a mechanical engineer who thought that traditional methods of factory work, where each worker relied on personal skill and custom, were inefficient.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But they can also be extended to celebrities with just enough skill to hang.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accomplishment 
• art 
• artistry 
• clout 
• competence 
• dexterity 
• experience 
• expertise 
• finesse 
• ingenuity 
• intelligence 
• job 
• know-how 
• proficiency 
• prowess 
• quickness www.thesaurus.com
• readiness 
• savvy 
• technique