skim

[ skim ]

/ skɪm /

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See synonyms for: skim / skimmed / skimming on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), skimmed, skim·ming.

to take up or remove (floating matter) from the surface of a liquid, as with a spoon or ladle: to skim the cream from milk.

to clear (liquid) thus: to skim milk.

to move or glide lightly over or along (a surface, as of water): The sailboat skimmed the lake.

to throw in a smooth, gliding path over or near a surface, or so as to bounce or ricochet along a surface: to skim a stone across the lake.

to read, study, consider, treat, etc., in a superficial or cursory manner.

to cover, as a liquid, with a thin film or layer: Ice skimmed the lake at night.

to take the best or most available parts or items from: Bargain hunters skimmed the flea markets early in the morning.

to take (the best or most available parts or items) from something: The real bargains had been skimmed by early shoppers.

Metallurgy. to remove (slag, scum, or dross) from the surface of molten metal.

Slang. to conceal a portion of (winnings, earnings, etc.) in order to avoid paying income taxes, commissions, or the like on the actual total revenue (sometimes followed by off): The casino skimmed two million a year.

to appropriate (credit or debit card information) electronically for illegal use: A hidden device can skim your account number while you’re pumping gas, paying for groceries, etc.

verb (used without object), skimmed, skim·ming.

to pass or glide lightly over or near a surface.

to read, study, consider, etc., something in a superficial or cursory way.

to become covered with a thin film or layer.

Slang. to conceal gambling or other profits so as to avoid paying taxes, etc.; practice skimming.

noun

an act or instance of skimming.

something that is skimmed off.

a thin layer or film formed on the surface of something, especially a liquid, as the coagulated protein material formed on boiled milk.

a thin layer, as of mortar.

Slang. the amount taken or concealed by skimming.

skim milk.

Obsolete. scum.

OTHER WORDS FOR skim

5 scan.

13 glance.

See synonyms for skim on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of skim

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English skymen, skemen, variant of scumen “to skim,” perhaps from Old French escumer “to remove scum”; see scum

OTHER WORDS FROM skim

un·skimmed, adjective

Words nearby skim

skillion, skill-less, skill set, skilly, Skil Saw, skim, ski mask, skimble-scamble, skimboard, skimmed milk, skimmer

How to use skim in a sentence

Manufacturers usually include cleaning tips and methods in that little paper booklet, and giving it a quick skim could help you avoid trashing the warranty.
How to clean a TV screen|John Kennedy|February 15, 2022|Popular-Science
As a result, the brain might slip into skim mode when you’re reading on a screen.
Will you learn better from reading on screen or on paper?|Avery Elizabeth Hurt|October 18, 2021|Science News For Students
Fat-free or skim milkEveryone knows milk is an excellent source of calcium that will keep your bones in tip-top shape.
10 Ways to Stay Hydrated (That Aren’t Water)|DailyBurn|July 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And good for Bruno, bless his heart, who is truly the skim milk of pop music.
Your Super Bowl Etiquette Guide From Food to Clothes to What Not to Say|Kelly Williams Brown|February 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And the iTunes story makes music—arguably the most mysterious, magical art form—as accessible and ubiquitous as skim milk.
From Bieber to the Beatles, How the iTunes Store Brooklynized Music|Justin Moyer|May 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Skim off most of the fat with a spoon: just dip in, get a spoonful of fat, and remove.
Your Friday Gadget Chef Recipe: Two Day Soup|Megan McArdle|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Drinks at the dinner table are restricted to “water and skim milk.”
12 Juicy Bits From Michelle Obama’s Garden Book|Alex Klein|May 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
All summer we have had three calves that came to the orchard fence twice a day to get their ration of skim milk and feeding flour.
The Red Cow and Her Friends|Peter McArthur
When the birds are done, skim off all grease, add the juice of a lemon, and serve hot.
Dressed Game and Poultry la Mode|Harriet A. de Salis
You don't suppose, do you, I've had time since Tuesday to read all this through and skim off the cream?'
Wandering Heath|Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
In our own little book we have been compelled to skim lightly, and, in many places, to pass over subjects of great interest.
The Ocean and its Wonders|R.M. Ballantyne
Now, I have made a calculation, and I am satisfied that Mrs. Skim can not possibly make much profit out of me.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. VII, December 1850, Vol. II|Various

British Dictionary definitions for skim

skim

/ (skɪm) /

verb skims, skimming or skimmed

(tr) to remove floating material from the surface of (a liquid), as with a spoonto skim milk

to glide smoothly or lightly over (a surface)

(tr) to throw (something) in a path over a surface, so as to bounce or ricochetto skim stones over water

(when intr, usually foll by through) to read (a book) in a superficial or cursory manner

to cover (a liquid) with a thin layer or (of liquid) to become coated in this way, as with ice, scum, etc

noun

the act or process of skimming

material skimmed off a liquid, esp off milk

the liquid left after skimming

any thin layer covering a surface

Word Origin for skim

C15 skimmen, probably from scumen to skim; see scum

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

skim

OTHER WORDS FOR skim

Origin of skim

OTHER WORDS FROM skim

Words nearby skim

Words related to skim

How to use skim in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for skim

Word Origin for skim