skim (sk m)v. skimmed, skim·ming, skims v.tr. 1. a. To remove floating matter from (a liquid). b. To remove (floating matter) from a liquid. c. To take away the choicest or most readily attainable contents or parts from. 2. To coat or cover with or as if with a thin layer, as of scum. 3. a. To throw so as to bounce or slide: skimming stones on the pond. b. To glide or pass quickly and lightly over or along (a surface). See Synonyms at brush1. 4. To read or glance through (a book, for example) quickly or superficially. 5. Slang To fail to declare part of (certain income, such as winnings) to avoid tax payment. v.intr. 1. To move or pass swiftly and lightly over or near a surface; glide. 2. To give a quick and superficial reading, scrutiny, or consideration; glance: skimmed through the newspaper. 3. To become coated with a thin layer. 4. Slang To fail to declare certain income to avoid tax payment. n. 1. The act of skimming. 2. Something that has been skimmed. 3. A thin layer or film. 4. Slang The profit gained by skimming. [Middle English skimmen, perhaps from Old French escumer, to remove scum, from escume, scum, of Germanic origin; see (s)keu- in Indo-European roots.] |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  skimming - the act of removing floating material from the surface of a liquid |
| 2. | skimming - reading or glancing through quickly reading - the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message; "his main reading was detective stories"; "suggestions for further reading" | |
| 3. | skimming - failure to declare income in order to avoid paying taxes on it | |
| 4. | skimming - the act of brushing against while passing |
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