Showing results for "skimming"

• present participle of skim.

skimming

American  

[skim-ing] / ˈskɪm ɪŋ /

noun

1. Usually skimmings. floating matter that is removed from the surface of a liquid.

2. Metallurgy. skimmings, dross.

3. Slang. the practice of concealing gambling or other profits so as to avoid paying taxes, commissions, etc..

   An audit of their cleaning business uncovered several years of skimming.

4. the practice of electronically appropriating account numbers or other confidential data for illegal use.

   A chip is embedded in the credit card to prevent skimming.

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Etymology

Origin of skimming

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English skemmyng; see skim, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

skimming

Ellis, a sweet guy not averse to skimming a little off the top when dealing with moneyed customers — it’s a summer getaway for the rich — takes an immediate shine to Annie.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

It’s sketched out for cynical skimming rather than deeper psychological consideration.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2026

Readers less enrapt about the details of these might find themselves skimming sections about them, or those about operating-system updates and later iMac models.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026

Entrant Jonathan Jennings went on to victory last week as the contest's first American winner, skimming his stones a cumulative distance of 177m.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2025

Heavy cans full of fuel for the planes were attached to her wings and stacked up in the rear cockpit, weighing down the little Po-2 so that skimming the treetops was even more hazardous.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• bribery
• crime
• exploitation
• extortion
• fraud
• graft
• malfeasance
• nepotism