# skate

/ˈskeɪt/ (US) · /skˈeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/skate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. footwear for gliding

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to move on skates

verb · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to avoid trouble

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

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

For teachers: 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'.

### 5. to move easily

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I need to sharpen the blades on my skates before the game.
- She laced up her skates tightly to ensure her ankles had enough support while she practiced her jumps on the ice.
- While professional figure skates feature a toe pick for jumping, hockey skates are designed with a rounded blade to facilitate rapid changes in direction and explosive speed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.