What does "skate" mean?

1. (footwear for gliding) a boot with a blade or wheels on the bottom used for moving across ice or ground. 2. (to move on skates) to move along a surface using ice skates, roller skates, or a skateboard. 3. (to avoid trouble) to get away with something or avoid a difficult situation easily. 4. (to move easily) to move through a task or place very smoothly and without effort.

skate — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01footwear for gliding

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Sports

n. a boot with a blade or wheels on the bottom used for moving across ice or ground.

n. a boot-mounted frame featuring either a steel runner for ice or wheels for pavement, designed for gliding.

“She sat on the bench to tighten the laces on her skates before going onto the ice.”

“The professional hockey player inspected his skates for any dullness in the blades that might affect his cornering speed during the match.”

Synonyms

ice skateroller skateblade

02to move on skates

A2 · Elementary Sports

v. to move along a surface using ice skates, roller skates, or a skateboard.

v. to glide or propel oneself across a surface using specialized footwear or a wheeled board.

“The children love to skate at the local park during the summer.”

“The figure skater began to skate across the rink with a fluid grace that masked the immense physical strength required for the routine.”

Synonyms

glide slide skateboard

03to avoid trouble

C1 · Advanced Informal · Slang

v. to get away with something or avoid a difficult situation easily.

v. to escape a difficult situation or avoid punishment, often through luck or a lack of evidence.

“He managed to skate through the exam even though he didn't study much.”

“Despite the overwhelming evidence of negligence, the executive managed to skate on the charges due to a technicality in the contract.”

Usage

Often used with 'on' or 'through'.

Synonyms

escape get off

Antonyms

suffer pay

04to move easily

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to move through a task or place very smoothly and without effort.

v. to progress through a situation or move across a surface with effortless ease.

“She seemed to skate through the interview and got the job offer the next day.”

“The experienced diplomat was able to skate through the delicate negotiations without offending either of the opposing parties.”

Synonyms

breeze sail

Antonyms

struggle

Back-formation from Dutch schaats, from Middle Dutch schāetse, from Old Northern French escache (“a stilt, trestle”) (compare French échasse and English scatch), from a Germanic language, perhaps Frankish skakkjā (“stilt”, literally “thing that moves”), related to skakan (“to shake, swing”).