What Is Skim? Definition And Usage Of This Term
WHAT IS SKIM – In this topic, we will first know and learn the definition of this term and how is this term used in sentences.

Definition
The Oxford Dictionary defines the term as the following:
- remove (a substance) from the surface of a liquid.
- steal or embezzle (money), especially in small amounts over a period of time.
- go or move quickly and lightly over or on a surface or through the air.
- pass over (a surface), nearly or lightly touching it in the process.
- read (something) quickly or cursorily so as to note only the important points.
- a thin layer of a substance on the surface of a liquid.
- an act of reading something quickly or superficially.
Meanwhile, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines this term as the following:
- to clear (a liquid) of scum or floating substance
- to remove (a film, a layer of scum, etc.) from the surface of a liquid
- to remove cream from by skimming
- to read, study, or examine superficially and rapidly
- to throw in a gliding path
- to cover with or as if with a film, scum, or coat
- to pass swiftly or lightly over
- to remove or conceal (money, such as a portion of casino profits) to avoid payment of taxes
Synonyms
Here are some of the following synonyms:
- remove
- take off
- scoop off
- spoon off
- ladle off
- cream
- glide
- move lightly
- slide
- sail
- plane
- scud
- skate
- flick through
- flip througH
Etymology
It is a Middle English term, which is a back-formation from skimmer, or from the Old French term escumer.
Examples
Here are some examples of the usage of this term:
- She didn’t move away or object when he allowed his palms to skim her curves, tracing down her sides to her hips then around to her tight bottom.
- Ducks and geese frequent it in the spring and fall, the white-bellied swallows (Hirundo bicolor) skim over it, and the peetweets (Totanus macularius) “teeter” along its stony shores all summer.
- While these subheadings may vary depending on the nature of the report, bullet points and headings are always useful to provide the reader with the ability to skim the report and still understand the key points.
- They expect to be able to skim the page and find what they are looking for.
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