skill

1 of 3

noun

ˈskil How to pronounce skill (audio)
Synonyms of skill
1
a
: the ability to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance
b
: dexterity or coordination especially in the execution of learned physical tasks
2
: a learned power of doing something competently : a developed aptitude or ability
language skills
3
obsolete : cause, reason
skill-less adjective
or skilless
ˈskil-ləs How to pronounce skill (audio)
skill-lessness noun
or skillessness

skill

2 of 3

verb

skilled; skilling; skills

intransitive verb

archaic
: to make a difference : matter, avail

skill-less

3 of 3

adjective

variants or skilless
ˈskillə̇s How to pronounce skill-less (audio)
1
archaic : having no knowledge
2
: having no skill
skill-lessness noun
plural -es

Synonyms of skill

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for skill

art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised.

art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.

the art of choosing the right word

skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

the skill of a glassblower

cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.

a mystery plotted with great cunning

artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.

believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice

craft may imply expertness in workmanship.

the craft of a master goldsmith

Examples of skill in a Sentence

Noun Poker is a game of luck and skill. The work is difficult and requires a lot of skill. Cooking is a useful skill. He has excellent social skills.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Duet draws on the memories, skills and application connections users have already set up in Claude. — Wen Shao, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 His 9-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio has been more than good enough to orchestrate an offense loaded with skill-position talent. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 The Basketmaker—whose skills go far beyond furniture making—weaves her a match, Fiddler on the Roof-like, and the Fisherwoman, after an awkward matrimonial moment, takes Wicker Husband home to her funky little cottage. — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026 Successfully imaging a shooting star takes a combination of skill, luck and patience. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skill

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English skil, from Old Norse, distinction, knowledge; probably akin to Old English scylian to separate, sciell shell — more at shell

Verb

Middle English skilen, from Old Norse skilja to separate, divide; akin to Old Norse skil distinction

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skill was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing skill

Rhymes for skill

See All Rhymes for skill

Browse Nearby Words

ski lift
skill
skilled
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Cite this Entry

“Skill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skill. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

skill

noun
ˈskil
1
: ability that comes from training or practice
2
: a developed or acquired ability : accomplishment
reading skills
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