skim

¹skim

verb \ˈskim\

skimmedskim·ming

Definition of SKIM

transitive verb

1

a : to clear (a liquid) of scum or floating substance <skim boiling syrup>

b : to remove (as film or scum) from the surface of a liquid

c : to remove cream from by skimming

d : to remove the best or most easily obtainable contents from

2

: to read, study, or examine superficially and rapidly; especially : to glance through (as a book) for the chief ideas or the plot

3

: to throw in a gliding path; especially : to throw so as to ricochet along the surface of water

4

: to cover with or as if with a film, scum, or coat

5

: to pass swiftly or lightly over

6

a : to remove or conceal (as a portion of casino profits) to avoid payment of taxes

b : embezzle <skimming money from employee pension plans>

intransitive verb

1

a : to pass lightly or hastily : glide or skip along, above, or near a surface

b : to give a cursory glance, consideration, or reading

2

: to become coated with a thin layer of film or scum

3

: to put on a finishing coat of plaster

4

: to embezzle money

Examples of SKIM

1. He skimmed the leaves from the pool.
2. The cream is skimmed from the milk.
3. The milk is skimmed before it is bottled.
4. She only skimmed the reading assignment.
5. She only skimmed through the reading assignment.

Origin of SKIM

Middle English skymmen, skemen, probably from Anglo-French escumer, from escume foam, scum, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch schum scum — more at scum

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SKIM

Synonyms

flip, leaf, riffle, thumb

Antonyms

flounder, struggle

Related Words

browse, dip; glance (at), look over, scan

Near Antonyms

pore (over); study

Rhymes with SKIM

bream, brim, dim, glim, grim, Grimm, gym, him, hymn, limb, limn, mim, nim, prim, rim, scrim, shim, slim, swim, Tim, trim, vim, whim

²skim

noun

Definition of SKIM

1

: a thin layer, coating, or film

2

: the act of skimming

3

: something skimmed; specifically : skim milk

First Known Use of SKIM

14th century

³skim

adjective

Definition of SKIM

1

: having the cream removed by skimming

2

: made of skim milk <skim cheese>

First Known Use of SKIM

1794

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel