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

In fact, James Bond did battle with a squad of baddies using the snow ski version in the thriller The World Is Not Enough, and the US military has been experimenting with the concept. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Karapetian also told investors that the sport segment is 75 percent of global revenue, largely in apparel in ski and sailing. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

Zermatt aims to offer skiing 365 days a year and in a normal summer from May to late October, the resort operates 13 miles (21 kilometers) of groomed runs plus a snow park on the Theodul Glacier near the border with Italy. — Rob Hodgetts, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

In a defensive meeting during training camp, Burke retold a story that was told by British explorer Louis Rudd, the second person to ski solo across Antarctica. — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

This time, seven more lives were lost when the original shuttle orbiter Columbia broke up on reentry over the skies of Texas, flying its 28th and final mission. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

The Falcon 9 rose into blue morning skies — something of a rarity for California's central coast, which is often cloaked in fog. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 6 Sep. 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"