skill

¹

[ skil ]

noun

1. the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well:

   Carpentry was one of his many skills.

   Synonyms: facility, proficiency

   Antonyms: inability

2. competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity:

   The dancers performed with skill.

   Synonyms: cleverness, deftness

3. a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience:

   the skill of cabinetmaking.

4. Obsolete. understanding; discernment.
5. Obsolete. reason; cause.

skill

²

[ skil ]

verb (used without object)

, Archaic.

1. to matter.
2. to help; avail.

skill

/ skɪl /

noun

1. special ability in a task, sport, etc, esp ability acquired by training
2. something, esp a trade or technique, requiring special training or manual proficiency
3. obsolete.
   understanding

Derived Forms

• ˈskill-less, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of skill¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Old Norse skil “distinction, difference”; cognate with Dutch geschil “difference, quarrel”; skill ²( def )

Origin of skill²

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English skilien, from Old Norse skilja “to distinguish, divide,” akin to skil ( skill ¹( def ) ), Old English scylian “to separate,” Gothic skilja “butcher,” Lithuanian skélti “to split”

Word History and Origins

Origin of skill¹

C12: from Old Norse skil distinction; related to Middle Low German schēle, Middle Dutch geschil difference

Example Sentences

A London-born teenager nicknamed "God's influencer" for his online skills will be made a saint in April.

From BBC

Java was a hat-maker and designer, skills she incorporated into her own ensembles.

From Los Angeles Times

Club Dreigiau Dâr was set up in Aberdare last year to provide football for girls and boys aged seven to 11, no matter their skill level or financial background.

From BBC

This allows them to learn essential skills, including caring for infants and cooking as well as hunting and gathering, through a process that is often subtle and nonverbal.

From Science Daily

With imprisoned Feathers possessing alarmingly honed hacking skills, however, sinister doings will soon be afoot.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplishment
• art
• artistry
• clout
• competence
• dexterity
• experience
• expertise
• finesse
• ingenuity
• intelligence
• job
• know-how
• proficiency
• prowess
• quickness
• readiness
• savvy
• technique