Definition of SKILL

Choose the Right Synonym for skill

Noun

art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised. art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power. the art of choosing the right word skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency. the skill of a glassblower cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing. a mystery plotted with great cunning artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature. believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice craft may imply expertness in workmanship. the craft of a master goldsmith

Examples of skill in a Sentence

Noun

Poker is a game of luck and skill. The work is difficult and requires a lot of skill. Cooking is a useful skill. He has excellent social skills.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The exchange prompted some intramural squabbling among news outlets — another sign of Mr. Trump’s skill in not only insulting the news media, but in dividing it as well. — New York Times, "‘Fake News’ Goes Global as Trump, in Britain, Rips the Press," 13 July 2018 Middle-school students whose parents resolved conflicts to their satisfaction showed better coping skills a year later. — Sue Shellenbarger, WSJ, "The Right Ways to Argue in Front of Your Children," 22 Apr. 2019 Mustafa Anabtawi received the honor for founding The Alchemist Lab, an educational center offering children in cities, remote villages, and refugee camps additional skills to help with their education, developmental needs, and confidence. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Anita Hill Delivers a Powerful Call to Action at the 2019 DVF Awards," 12 Apr. 2019 In the early 1980s, Lionel’s songwriting skills had caught record executives’ attention and he was encouraged to release a solo album. — Marie Milano, Country Living, "A Detailed Timeline of Lionel Richie's Marriages and Relationships," 3 Mar. 2019 Making good kisses even better is a lifelong skill. — Gigi Engle, SELF, "We Asked 14 People How to Make Kissing Even Better," 28 Mar. 2019 The art of proper introductions is a skill your children will use for the rest of their lives. — Betsy Cribb, Southern Living, "The Proper Way to Teach Kids to Introduce Themselves, According to an Etiquette Expert," 10 July 2018 In the campaign images the models are still wearing minimal skin makeup, and the products all seem fairly intuitive to use (glitter doesn't require the same amount of skill level as contouring), so the OG brand's DNA is still there. — Glamour, "I Wore Glossier Play for a Night Out—Here’s How It Held Up," 28 Mar. 2019 Celebrities also seemed to be honing in on their matching skills this week. — Vogue, "The Best Fashion Instagrams of the Week: Diplo, Gucci Mane, A$AP Rocky, SZA, and More," 16 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

On July 29, a youth skills camp, free of charge for boys and girls, will take place at the Keney Woodland Basketball Courts in Keney Park in Hartford. — Mike Anthony, courant.com, "Celebrating Hartford's Rich Basketball History In July," 31 May 2017 Better options for a ramp-down business would include services that leverage expertise or skills the entrepreneur is already known for. — Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, "Working Strategies: Business startup as career ramp-down," 13 May 2017 Instruction focuses on what is interesting and meaningful to each child, layering necessary skilling on top, with six classes divided into age groups. — Nadine Jolie Courtney, Town & Country, "These Preschools Are the Ivy League of Early Education," 11 Oct. 2016 Occasionally you are made to feel adrift in narrative Siberia, left to dream about condensation and editing, about the knife skills an oral historian should have in her kit. — Dwight Garner, New York Times, "Svetlana Alexievich, Nobel Laureate of Russian Misery, Has an English-Language Milestone MAY 20, 2016," 24 May 2016 There are also medical engineers skilled in the use of advanced diagnostic equipment, and hydro-engineers to stave off the flooding. — David Hiser, National Geographic, "Bringing the Ghostly City of Pompeii Back to Life," 8 Apr. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'skill.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.