skim

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

Synonyms of skim

• flip

Examples of skim in a Sentence

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

Often minimalistic with a focus on draping and texture, the brand’s body-skimming designs were updated, in this instance, to meet the constraints of their feedstock. —Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 9 June 2026

The smocked collar and sleeve hems won’t restrict movement, and the breezy fabric skims the body without clinging. —Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026

They can also be seen skimming horizontally across the top of the atmosphere. —Jules-Pierre Malartre, Space.com, 8 June 2026

The oversized sweater design with short sleeves creates a flattering silhouette that skims rather than clings. —Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

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

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