Skim (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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verb (used with object), skimmed, skim·ming.
  1. to take up or remove (floating matter) from the surface of a liquid, as with a spoon or ladle: to skim the cream from milk.
  2. to clear (liquid) thus: to skim milk.
  3. to move or glide lightly over or along (a surface, as of water): The sailboat skimmed the lake.
  4. to throw in a smooth, gliding path over or near a surface, or so as to bounce or ricochet along a surface: to skim a stone across the lake.
  5. to read, study, consider, treat, etc., in a superficial or cursory manner.
  6. to cover, as a liquid, with a thin film or layer: Ice skimmed the lake at night.
  7. to take the best or most available parts or items from: Bargain hunters skimmed the flea markets early in the morning.
  8. to take (the best or most available parts or items) from something: The real bargains had been skimmed by early shoppers.
  9. to remove (slag, scum, or dross) from the surface of molten metal.
  10. to conceal a portion of (winnings, earnings, etc.) in order to avoid paying income taxes, commissions, or the like on the actual total revenue (sometimes followed by off): The casino skimmed two million a year.
  11. to appropriate (credit or debit card information) electronically for illegal use: A hidden device can skim your account number while you’re pumping gas, paying for groceries, etc.
verb (used without object), skimmed, skim·ming.
  1. to pass or glide lightly over or near a surface.
  2. to read, study, consider, etc., something in a superficial or cursory way.
  3. to become covered with a thin film or layer.
  4. to conceal gambling or other profits so as to avoid paying taxes, etc.; practice skimming.
noun
  1. an act or instance of skimming.
  2. something that is skimmed off.
  3. a thin layer or film formed on the surface of something, especially a liquid, as the coagulated protein material formed on boiled milk.
  4. a thin layer, as of mortar.
  5. the amount taken or concealed by skimming.
  6. skim milk.
  7. scum.
verb skims, skimming or skimmed
  1. to remove floating material from the surface of (a liquid), as with a spoon
  2. to glide smoothly or lightly over (a surface)
  3. to throw (something) in a path over a surface, so as to bounce or ricochet
  4. to read (a book) in a superficial or cursory manner
  5. to cover (a liquid) with a thin layer or (of liquid) to become coated in this way, as with ice, scum, etc
noun
  1. the act or process of skimming
  2. material skimmed off a liquid, esp off milk
  3. the liquid left after skimming
  4. any thin layer covering a surface
Skim (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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