skill

UK: /ˈskɪl/ US: /skɪl/ ,(skil)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

skill¹ /skɪl/   n. 

1. the knowledge or ability to do something well:
   [uncountable] She showed great skill in handling difficult problems.
   [countable] the skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in a foreign language.
2. a craft, trade, or job requiring special training:
   [countable] the skills of glassblowing.

skill•ful, adj.: 

a skillful way of dealing with people.

skill•ful•ly, adv.: 

She had skillfully persuaded him to accept her ideas.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

skill¹  (skil), n. 

1. the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well:
   Carpentry was one of his many skills.
2. competent excellence in performance;
   expertness;
   dexterity:
   The dancers performed with skill.
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. [Obs.] understanding;
   discernment.
5. [Obs.] reason;
   cause.

• Old Norse skil distinction, difference; cognate with Dutch geschil difference, quarrel. See skill²
• Middle English 1125–75

Synonyms

• 1. proficiency, facility.
• 2. deftness, cleverness.

Antonyms

• 1. inability.

skill²  (skil), v.i. [Archaic.]

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

• Old Norse skilja to distinguish, divide, akin to skil (see skill¹), Old English scylian to separate, Gothic skilja butcher, Lithuanian skélti to split
• Middle English skilien 1150–1200

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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

Etymology: 12th Century: from Old Norse skil distinction; related to Middle Low German schēle, Middle Dutch geschil difference

ˈskill-less, ˈskilless adjective