# skim

/ˈskɪm/ (US) · /skˈɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/skim
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to read quickly

verb · CEFR B2

to read a text very quickly to find the main points without looking at every word.

For teachers: to read or glance through a text rapidly in order to identify the main points or general gist.

- I didn't have time to read the whole report, so I just skimmed it before the meeting.
- The researcher skimmed through the archives, looking for any mention of the 19th-century treaty before committing to a deeper analysis.

### 2. to remove from a surface

verb · CEFR B2

to remove a layer of something, like fat or cream, from the top of a liquid.

For teachers: to remove a floating layer or substance from the surface of a liquid using a utensil.

- Use a large spoon to skim the fat off the top of the soup.
- The chef instructed the apprentice to carefully skim the foam from the simmering stock to ensure the final consommé remained perfectly clear.

### 3. to glide over

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to move quickly and lightly just above or along a surface.

For teachers: to pass or glide lightly over a surface, barely touching it.

- The birds skimmed the surface of the lake looking for fish.
- The dragonflies skimmed the water's surface, their wings creating tiny, rhythmic ripples in the otherwise still pond.

### 4. financial fraud

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal · Technical

to steal small amounts of money from a business before it is officially recorded.

For teachers: to illegally divert small amounts of money from a business or transaction before the funds are accounted for.

- The manager was caught skimming money from the cash register every Friday.
- Federal investigators discovered that the casino owners had been skimming profits for years to avoid paying corporate taxes.

### 5. a quick look

noun · CEFR B2

a quick look at a book or document to see what it is about.

For teachers: an act of reading something quickly to grasp the general theme.

- A quick skim of the newspaper told me all I needed to know about the election.
- After a brief skim of the executive summary, the director felt confident enough to approve the initial phase of the project.

### 6. low fat

adjective · CEFR B1 · American English

describes milk that has had the cream removed so it has very little fat.

For teachers: referring to milk from which the cream has been removed; non-fat or low-fat.

- I prefer to have skim milk in my coffee to save calories.
- The recipe specifically calls for skim milk to maintain a light consistency in the custard.

Usage: In British English, 'skimmed milk' is the standard term, whereas 'skim milk' is more common in American English.

## Examples

- I usually skim the newspaper while I drink my morning coffee.
- Before the meeting starts, please skim the executive summary to understand the main goals of the project.
- Academic success often requires the ability to skim dense theoretical chapters to determine their relevance before committing to a more thorough, analytical reading of the material.

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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.