skill

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: the ability to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance
b
: dexterity or coordination especially in the execution of learned physical tasks
2
: a learned power of doing something competently : a developed aptitude or ability
language skills
3
obsolete : cause, reason
skill-less adjective
or skilless
skill-lessness noun
or skillessness

skill

2 of 2

verb

skilled; skilling; skills

intransitive verb

archaic
: to make a difference : matter, avail
Choose the Right Synonym for skill

art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised.

art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.

the art of choosing the right word

skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

the skill of a glassblower

cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.

a mystery plotted with great cunning

artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.

believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice

craft may imply expertness in workmanship.

the craft of a master goldsmith

Examples of skill in a Sentence

Noun Poker is a game of luck and skill. The work is difficult and requires a lot of skill. Cooking is a useful skill. He has excellent social skills.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Brown’s team called their system Cicero, and tested its skill against real players on WebDiplomacy, a popular online game server. Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 Poor execution could also compromise the reliable supply of inputs needed for the transition itself, such as minerals, clean manufacturing capacity, infrastructure, land, and worker skills. Mekala Krishnan, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024 By following your actions, this toddler craft idea will teach your 2-year-old communication skills and imitation. Nicole Harris, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Don’t downplay your skills and experience, thinking someone else can do a better job. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 That doesn’t mean, though, that teaching a child to sleep isn’t an incredibly important skill. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 Love excelled in several marquee games (36 points at Oregon, 29 against Purdue, 28 at Washington State) and contributed with his rebounding and passing skills. Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 But what struck me more than her skills with dairy were her children. Nell Frizzell, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Recommended Compassion Biden’s food drops in Gaza underscore difficulties with Israel There are also few women’s shelters in Senegal, and women fleeing domestic violence often have little education and few formal job skills. Andrei Popoviciu, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2024
Verb
One goal is to offer mentorship and guidance through various innovative programs, skills training and job training opportunities, preparing them for employment. The Courier-Journal, 25 Jan. 2024 What skills — beyond a combination of moxie, gumption, and can-do spirit — do these racers possess that will get them to the finish line before everyone else? Dalton Ross, EW.com, 13 Sep. 2023 Look at what skills people have and what skills your teams are lacking. Mahesh Rajasekharan, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 Several themes echoed across resolutions as a whole, including better investment into AI, emphasizing employee wellbeing, and improving employee learning and skills development. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2024 Hamilton, Smith, and Tucker were named starters in the Feb. 4 event in Orlando, Florida, the weekend before the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, which will consist of a flag football game and skills competition. Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2024 Guided by a gentleness and patience that belies the brute survival skills these men possess, the transfer of knowledge is quiet and determined. Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Dec. 2023 Show his mixology skills a little love with some ice molds from Williams Sonoma. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023 The equanimity skills group also had lower blood pressure and hormonal stress levels. J. David Creswell, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English skil, from Old Norse, distinction, knowledge; probably akin to Old English scylian to separate, sciell shell — more at shell

Verb

Middle English skilen, from Old Norse skilja to separate, divide; akin to Old Norse skil distinction

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skill was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near skill

Cite this Entry

“Skill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skill. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

skill

noun
ˈskil
1
: ability that comes from training or practice
2
: a developed or acquired ability : accomplishment
reading skills

More from Merriam-Webster on skill

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