Word
skirmish
Phoneticsskir·mish, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈskɝmɪʃ/
UK/skˈɜːmɪʃ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a short fight between small groups of soldiers. It can also mean a small, quick argument between people who disagree.
n. a brief and unplanned episode of irregular or minor fighting, typically between small detachments of armies. Often used figuratively to describe a minor dispute or contest.
Examples
“The two armies had a small skirmish near the border.”
“What began as a minor skirmish over a parking space quickly turned into a loud argument involving the whole street.”
“Historians describe the event not as a full-scale battle, but as a series of brief skirmishes that eventually forced the smaller force to retreat into the mountains.”
Examples
simple
“The two armies had a small skirmish near the border.”
contextual
“What began as a minor skirmish over a parking space quickly turned into a loud argument involving the whole street.”
complex
“Historians describe the event not as a full-scale battle, but as a series of brief skirmishes that eventually forced the smaller force to retreat into the mountains.”
Usage
Often takes the preposition 'with' or 'between'.
Real-World Examples
“After several skirmishes with police, including having to be brought down from the roof of his accommodation, he was sent to an adult prison aged 18.” “On one occasion, a skirmish between the two groups resulted in the deaths of two white men and two Native Americans, angering white authorities and settlers.” Etymology
From Middle English skirmish (as a verb), from Old French escarmouche (“skirmish”), from Italian scaramuccia, earlier schermugio. Doublet of escarmouche, Scaramouche, and Scaramucci.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/skirmish