ski

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈskē 

British sometimes

ˈshē 

plural skis also ski

1

a

: one of a pair of narrow strips of wood, metal, or plastic curving upward in front that are used especially for gliding over snow

b

: water ski

2

: a piece of material that resembles a ski and is used as a runner on a vehicle

ski

2 of 4

verb (1)

skied ˈskēd  ˈshēd  ; skiing

intransitive verb

: to glide on skis in travel or as a sport

transitive verb

: to travel or pass over on skis

skiable

ˈskē-ə-bəl 

adjective

skier noun

sky

3 of 4

noun (2)

ˈskī 

plural skies

1

: the upper atmosphere or expanse of space that constitutes an apparent great vault or arch over the earth

2

: heaven sense 2

3

a

: weather in the upper atmosphere

b

: climate

… temperate English skies …

—G. G. Coulton

sky

4 of 4

verb (2)

skied or skyed; skying

transitive verb

1

chiefly British : to throw or toss up : flip

2

: to hang (something, such as a painting) above the line of vision

3

: to hit (a ball) high into the air

intransitive verb

: to jump high

sky for a rebound

Synonyms of ski

Noun (2)

• blue
• welkin
• skyline
• horizon
• firmament
• heaven(s)

Examples of ski in a Sentence

Verb (1)

I have skied that mountain before.

Noun (2)

There wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Dark clouds moved quickly across the sky.

Hailstones suddenly fell out of the sky.

The sun was high in the sky.

The forecast is for sunny skies tomorrow.

a patch of blue sky

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Today, her inventions include Headlightz, a line of rechargeable ski caps and headbands with LED lights that illuminate dark jogging paths. — Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

The state cites hiking, jiu-jitsu and ski passes as examples of activities that were receiving public funding under these programs. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

Stark warning The group included eight women, longtime friends and veteran backcountry skiers with children who also skied and in some cases raced. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Speculator’s own ski hill is an epicenter for downhill skiing, snowboarding, and various events. — Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

Noun

During totality, the sky darkens significantly, temperatures drop and bright stars and planets can even become visible. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Her sisters and niece held each other as smoke crept closer, blanketing the sky behind them. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

Dark, clear skies away from city lights provide the best viewing conditions. — Ashley Lynch july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Early morning storms brought rain to the Kansas City area Friday, and forecasters say the rest of the day could swing from a quiet break to strong afternoon storms, depending on how quickly skies clear and temperatures rise. — Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Norwegian, from Old Norse skīth stick of wood, ski; akin to Old English scīd board, scēadan to divide — more at shed entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English, cloud, sky, from Old Norse skȳ cloud; akin to Old English scēo cloud

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

circa 1890, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1802, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing ski

• après-ski
• ski boot
• ski cross
• ski jump
• ski lift
• ski mask
• ski patrol
• ski pole
• ski run
• ski touring
• ski tow
• water ski

Rhymes for ski

• be
• bee
• bree
• cree
• fee
• flea
• flee
• free
• gee
• ghee
• glee
• he

Kids Definition

ski

1 of 2 noun

ˈskē 

plural skis

: one of a pair of narrow strips of wood, metal, or plastic curving upward in front that are used for gliding over snow or water

ski

2 of 2 verb

skied; skiing

: to glide on skis

skier noun

Etymology

Noun

from Norwegian ski "a ski," from an early Norse word skīth "a stick of wood"