skim

verb

\ ˈskim

skimmed; skimming

Definition of skim

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to clear (a liquid) of scum or floating substance skim boiling syrup

b : to remove (a film, a layer of scum, etc.) 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 (something, such 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

6a : to remove or conceal (money, such as a portion of casino profits) to avoid payment of taxes

b : embezzle skimming money from employee pension plans

intransitive verb

1a : 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

skim

noun

Definition of skim (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a thin layer, coating, or film

2 : the act of skimming

3 : something skimmed specifically : skim milk

skim

adjective

Definition of skim (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : having the cream removed by skimming

2 : made of skim milk skim cheese

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about skim

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Synonyms for skim

Synonyms: Verb

flip, leaf, riffle, thumb

Examples of skim in a Sentence

Verb

He skimmed the leaves from the pool. The cream is skimmed from the milk. The milk is skimmed before it is bottled. She only skimmed the reading assignment. She only skimmed through the reading assignment.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

As an air sign, Libra is more concerned with the bigger picture in life, often skimming over the practical everyday details. — Alice Bell, Vogue, "The Best Gifts for Every Astrological Sign on Your List," 26 Nov. 2018 But the paper skims over how, exactly, a blockchain accomplishes this ambitious goal. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Experts criticize West Virginia’s plan for smartphone voting," 7 Aug. 2018 The tool looks ideal for skimming off thin snowfalls, especially of dry snow. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "How to Shovel Snow and Which Shovel to Use," 28 Nov. 2018 To verify that surface tension did indeed play a role in the gecko's surface skimming ability, the researchers added a surfactant (dish soap) to the water. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Geckos’ new superpower is running on water; now we know how they do it," 6 Dec. 2018 Allow the stock to cool, cover and refrigerate, then skim off the fat. — John Besh, House Beautiful, "Shrimp and Andouille Over Grits Warms You Right Up," 17 Nov. 2015 Keeping it matchy-matchy, the 35-year-old Mary Poppins star chose a black floral jacquard blazer, styled with ankle-skimming trousers, buckled heels and an incredible oversized bow tie. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Emily Blunt and John Krasinski Wore Matching Tuxedos on the Red Carpet," 18 Feb. 2019 The model was spotted out and about in Los Angeles on January 11 rocking a collarbone-skimming cut, tinted with the most perfect bubblegum shade. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Hailey Bieber Steps Out With Light Pink Hair," 13 Jan. 2019 In early October, Wu went back to black and showed off a fresh shoulder-skimming chop at the American Music Awards. — Macaela Mackenzie, Allure, "15 Celebrities Who Prove a Dye Job Makes a Huge Difference," 18 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Choose part-skim, unsweetened options and get 2-3 servings per day. — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "How Much Sodium You Can Eat Every Day, According to a Nutritionist," 8 Apr. 2019 Vegetarians, sprinkle on a combo of cheeses like part-skim ricotta and shaved parmesan to avoid overloading on total calories or sodium. — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "How Healthy Is Chickpea Pasta? A Dietitian Weighs In on Nutrition and Weight-Loss Benefits," 25 Mar. 2019 Between 1980 and 2014, sales of whole milk decreased 45 percent as sales of 2 percent and skim rose 7 percent and 9 percent, respectively. — Jamie Lauren Keiles, Vox, "How low-fat dairy came to rule the US — and why that’s changing.," 20 Dec. 2018 Then, it was raided by the IRS, and its owners’ outrageous, barely concealed skim operation—they’d been making off with something like 80 percent of the nightly take—was revealed. — Julia Felsenthal, Vogue, "Matt Tyrnauer’s New Documentary, Studio 54, Takes On the Rise, Fall, and Last Days of Disco," 4 Oct. 2018 Top GG’s pizza with a low-sodium pizza sauce (with no added sugar, please!), part-skim cheeses, even more veggies, and a lean protein of your choice (like chicken, seafood, or lean cuts of strip steak). — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "Frozen Cauliflower Pizza Crust From Green Giant Is Officially Hitting Grocery Stores This Fall," 20 Aug. 2018 The cereal offerings on the menu ($5) can be topped with whole, skim, soy, and chocolate milks. — Michael Klein, Philly.com, "Cereal and ice cream, together at Moo Moo Cereal Milk Bar," 5 July 2018 Cover the filling with a piece of plastic wrap to prevent a skim from forming. 7. — Lauren Delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Royal Wedding Pie celebrates upcoming nuptials - and pie," 18 May 2018 The tradition for the winner of the Indy 500 is celebrating with a bottle of milk, and the drivers are polled to select a preference: whole, 2 percent or skim. — Michelle R. Martinelli, For The Win, "Indy 500 winner Will Power says he actually has strong willpower," 28 May 2018

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