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View synonyms for skim
skim
[ skim ]
verb (used with object)
skimmed, skimming.
- to take up or remove (floating matter) from the surface of a liquid, as with a spoon or ladle:
to skim the cream from milk.
- to clear (liquid) thus:
to skim milk.
- to move or glide lightly over or along (a surface, as of water):
The sailboat skimmed the lake.
- to throw in a smooth, gliding path over or near a surface, or so as to bounce or ricochet along a surface:
to skim a stone across the lake.
- to read, study, consider, treat, etc., in a superficial or cursory manner.
Synonyms: scan
- to cover, as a liquid, with a thin film or layer:
Ice skimmed the lake at night.
- to take the best or most available parts or items from:
Bargain hunters skimmed the flea markets early in the morning.
- to take (the best or most available parts or items) from something:
The real bargains had been skimmed by early shoppers.
- Metallurgy. to remove (slag, scum, or dross) from the surface of molten metal.
- Slang. to conceal a portion of (winnings, earnings, etc.) in order to avoid paying income taxes, commissions, or the like on the actual total revenue (sometimes followed by off ):
The casino skimmed two million a year.
- to appropriate (credit or debit card information) electronically for illegal use:
A hidden device can skim your account number while you’re pumping gas, paying for groceries, etc.
verb (used without object)
skimmed, skimming.
- to pass or glide lightly over or near a surface.
- to read, study, consider, etc., something in a superficial or cursory way.
Synonyms: glance
- to become covered with a thin film or layer.
- Slang. to conceal gambling or other profits so as to avoid paying taxes, etc.; practice skimming.
noun
- an act or instance of skimming.
- something that is skimmed off.
- a thin layer or film formed on the surface of something, especially a liquid, as the coagulated protein material formed on boiled milk.
- a thin layer, as of mortar.
- Slang. the amount taken or concealed by skimming.
- Obsolete. scum.
skim
/ skɪm /
verb
- tr to remove floating material from the surface of (a liquid), as with a spoon
to skim milk
- to glide smoothly or lightly over (a surface)
- tr to throw (something) in a path over a surface, so as to bounce or ricochet
to skim stones over water
- whenintr, usually foll by through to read (a book) in a superficial or cursory manner
- to cover (a liquid) with a thin layer or (of liquid) to become coated in this way, as with ice, scum, etc
noun
- the act or process of skimming
- material skimmed off a liquid, esp off milk
- the liquid left after skimming
- any thin layer covering a surface
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Other Words From
- un·skimmed adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of skim1
C15 skimmen, probably from scumen to skim; see scum
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