skim
/skɪm/ (bre, ipa) · /skɪm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈskim/ (ame, mw)
skim — verb
- skimpresent simple I / you / we / they
- skimshe / she / it
- skimmedpast simple
- skimming-ing form
1. to move fast and close to a surface without landing on it, passing by with only
to move fast and close to a surface without landing on it, passing by with only light or no contact
A seabird skimmed across the waves looking for fish.
skim + across + noun phrase showing path
The small boat skimmed over the calm lake toward the island.
A dragonfly skimmed the surface of the pond before landing on a leaf.
Low clouds skimmed the treetops as the storm moved in.
- plunge
Sudden deep movement into something rather than passing over it
文法句型
skim + over/across + noun phrase
skim + noun phrase (the surface)
用法筆記
Often takes a prepositional phrase with 'over' or 'across' describing the surface. When used transitively, the object is typically the surface itself (e.g. 'skim the water').
常見錯誤
2. to make a flat stone or similar object bounce across water by throwing it at a l
to make a flat stone or similar object bounce across water by throwing it at a low angle so that it rises each time it touches the surface
Dahlia taught her younger brother how to skim stones at the beach.
pattern: skim + stones (plural, generic object)
Christopher watched the flat pebble skim across the water seven times.
The older kids were skimming rocks near the edge of the lake.
We found smooth, flat stones perfect for skimming on the river.
文法句型
skim + a stone/pebble + across/over + noun phrase
the stone + skims + across + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly appears with 'stone' or 'pebble' as the object. The activity is often called 'skipping stones' in American English. The stone needs to be flat and light for the action to work.
3. to read something fast, focusing only on the main ideas or specific details inst
to read something fast, focusing only on the main ideas or specific details instead of every word
Élise skimmed the newspaper headlines while waiting for her coffee.
skim + the + newspaper headlines — typical object for quick reading
Ritu skimmed through the report to find the budget numbers.
You can skim the first chapter to get the general idea.
Femi skimmed the email quickly before the meeting started.
The manager skimmed each application form in under two minutes.
- scan
Aims to find a specific piece of information rather than the main ideas
- browse
More casual, often without a clear purpose; looking through without focus
- glance through
Even quicker and less thorough than skim
文法句型
skim + noun phrase (document, report, book)
skim + through + noun phrase
skim + over + noun phrase
用法筆記
Can be used transitively ('skim a document') or with 'through' ('skim through a chapter'). Unlike 'scan', which targets specific information, 'skim' focuses on grasping the overall structure and main points.
常見錯誤
4. to take away a solid or semi-solid substance such as fat, foam, or cream from th
to take away a solid or semi-solid substance such as fat, foam, or cream from the top of a liquid
Mauricio skimmed the foam from the top of the soup before serving it.
pattern: skim + substance + from + top of + liquid
Use a large spoon to skim the fat off the surface of the broth.
Mira skimmed the cream from the milk to make butter.
The chef skimmed the impurities from the simmering stock.
文法句型
skim + noun phrase + from/off + noun phrase
skim + noun phrase (the liquid itself)
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'from' or 'off' to separate the removed substance from the liquid. The removed material is always lighter than the liquid and floating on top.
常見錯誤
5. to steal the digital data stored on a payment card by passing it through a hidde
to steal the digital data stored on a payment card by passing it through a hidden reader, typically in order to commit fraud
Thieves skimmed dozens of credit card numbers at the gas station.
The bank warned customers about a device used to skim card data.
passive: device used to skim + noun phrase
Indra discovered someone had skimmed her card details at the ATM.
Security cameras caught a man skimming cards at several stores.
- clone
Implies copying the data onto a new card, a step that comes after skimming
- swipe illegally
Describes the action more generally without the technical precision
文法句型
skim + credit card(s)/card data/card details
用法筆記
A relatively new meaning tied to electronic payment fraud. The hidden devices used are often called 'skimmers'. Common in news reports about data theft and cybersecurity.
6. to secretly remove modest sums of cash, typically from a workplace register or f
to secretly remove modest sums of cash, typically from a workplace register or fund, often doing it bit by bit to avoid notice
The accountant was caught skimming small amounts from the company fund.
passive: was caught + skimming + amount + from + source
Eri discovered that a coworker had been skimming cash from the register.
The manager was accused of skimming profits before reporting them.
Luca skimmed a few dollars from each payment to cover his debts.
文法句型
skim + money/cash/funds/profits + from + noun phrase
skim + from + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (SKIM CARDS): sense 5 involves copying digital data, while sense 6 involves taking actual money. The theft is typically done in small increments to avoid detection.
常見錯誤
skim — noun
1. a thin covering or layer on top of a liquid, such as ice, cream, fat, or dust
a thin covering or layer on top of a liquid, such as ice, cream, fat, or dust
A thin skim of ice covered the puddle after the cold night.
a thin skim of + noun phrase showing thin layer
There was a greasy skim on the surface of the soup.
The first skim of cream is perfect for making butter.
A skim of oil floated on the surface of the salad dressing.
文法句型
a/the skim of + noun phrase
a skim on the surface of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used with 'of' to name the substance forming the layer. The word is usually singular when referring to a layer on a specific liquid.
2. an act of reading something quickly to get a general idea or find main points wi
an act of reading something quickly to get a general idea or find main points without studying every detail
A quick skim of the article told her the answer was on page five.
Omar gave the contract a brief skim before signing it.
give + noun phrase + a + (brief/quick) + skim
A skim through the document showed several spelling mistakes.
A quick skim of the menu helped the group find the vegetarian dishes.
文法句型
give + noun phrase + a skim
have + a skim + through + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly used in the phrases 'give something a skim' or 'have a skim through something'. The noun is almost always singular in this sense.
skim — adjective
- skimpositive
- skimmercomparative
- skimmestsuperlative
1. referring to milk or dairy items that have had their fatty cream extracted, resu
referring to milk or dairy items that have had their fatty cream extracted, resulting in a much lower fat content
Iris bought a carton of skim milk for her morning cereal.
skim milk — common compound noun
Skim yogurt has less fat than the full-fat version.
The recipe calls for skim milk, not whole milk.
Many athletes drink skim milk for its protein without the extra fat.
文法句型
skim + milk/yogurt/milk powder
用法筆記
Always used before a noun (attributive position): 'skim milk', 'skim yogurt'. 'Skimmed milk' is also common in British English.