skim

1 of 3

verb

ˈskim 

skimmed; skimming

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

6

a

: 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

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

skim

2 of 3

noun

1

: a thin layer, coating, or film

2

: the act of skimming

3

: something skimmed

specifically : skim milk

skim

3 of 3

adjective

1

: having the cream removed by skimming

2

: made of skim milk

skim cheese

Synonyms

Verb

• flip

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

One of them skimmed past Joonas Korpisalo after deflecting off Tanner Jeannot. —Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

The modal-cotton blend is supersoft yet not see-through, and the slim cut skims the body for a flattering fit. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025

Noun

To reap the potential blood sugar-lowering benefit, consider whole milk, which contains more fat and lactose than skim varieties. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2025

Monterey Jack is creamy and mild, but so is part-skim mozzarella or Fontina. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing skim

• skim milk
• skim off

Rhymes for skim

• brim
• clim
• dim
• grim
• gym
• him
• hymn
• im
• limb
• mim
• prim
• rim

Kids Definition

skim

1 of 3 verb

ˈskim 

skimmed; skimming

1

a

: to clear a liquid of scum or floating substance : remove (as film or scum) from the surface of a liquid

b

: to remove cream from by skimming

2

: to glance through (as a book) for the chief ideas or the plot

3

: to throw so as to bounce along the surface of water

4

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

skim

2 of 3 noun

1

: a thin layer, coating, or film

2

: the act of skimming

3

: something skimmed

especially : skim milk

skim

3 of 3 adjective

: having the cream removed by skimming