verb
skim
skihm
verb
1
To read something quickly, picking up only the main points.
"I skimmed the report before the meeting instead of reading it word for word."
2
To move or pass lightly and quickly along or just above a surface.
"The stone skimmed across the lake before sinking."
3
To remove a substance floating on top of a liquid.
"Skim the fat off the soup before serving."
4
To illegally copy card details, or steal small amounts of money from transactions, without detection.
"The device on the ATM was used to skim card numbers."
How to Use Skim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo read quickly without full attention, to glide over a surface, or to remove a top layer from a liquid.
Common pairings
skim milk
skim through
skim the surface
card skimming
Word Forms
skimmed past tense, skims plural, skims singular
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_____ the fat off the soup before serving.
Etymology
From Middle English forms related to Old French "escumer," meaning "to remove scum," from a Germanic root for "foam."