skim
verb (used with object)
to take up or remove (floating matter) from the surface of a liquid, as with a spoon or ladle.
skimmed
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past participleof skim.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof skim.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
skimverb (used with object)to take up or remove (floating matter) from the surface of a liquid, as with a spoon or ladle.
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.
Lately, though, so many good business and financial books have been coming out that I’ve been reading a bunch of them, and I’ve at least skimmed everything in my growing pile.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
According to prosecutors, McCluskie, Williamson, and another consultant skimmed $225,000 from one of Becerra’s dormant campaign accounts and funneled it to McCluskie through various entities.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
Based between an ancient burial mound and a rusting tin hut, the men stood on top of a nuclear fallout bunker, while aircraft skimmed them at terrifyingly low altitudes.
From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2025
This reduction in risk applied to various types of milk, including whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed.
From Salon ● Jan. 15, 2025
She skimmed her paint-crusted fingers over the water’s surface, and the stream seemed to skip at her touch.
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
