skim
word
Definition
To move quickly over the surface of something; to read or look at something quickly without paying close attention; or to remove something from the surface of a liquid.
Usage & Nuances
Common uses: 'skim a book' (read quickly for main ideas), 'skim milk' (milk with cream removed), 'skim the surface' (touch lightly). Not the same as 'scan' (look for specific info). 'Skim over' is often used for quick reading.
Spanish: ojear - desnatado (leche) - quitar la nataPortuguese (BR): passar os olhos - desnatar (leite) - tirar a nataPortuguese (PT): passar os olhos - desnatar (leite) - tirar a nataChinese (Simplified): 浏览 - 撇去（液体表面）Chinese (Traditional): 瀏覽 - 撇去（液體表面）Hindi: ऊपर-ऊपर देखना - मलाई निकालनाArabic: يتصفح بسرعة - ينزع القشدةBengali: চটজলদি দেখা - ফুঁটসা (দুধের উপরের স্তর তুলা) - উপরে দিয়ে সরে যাওয়াRussian: бегло просматривать - снимать (пенку, сливки) - скользить по поверхностиJapanese: ざっと目を通す - すくい取る - 表面をかすめるVietnamese: đọc lướt - vớt (kem, bọt) khỏi bề mặt - lướt trên bề mặtKorean: 훑어보다 - 걷어내다 - 표면을 스치다Turkish: gözden geçirmek - üstünü almak (süt, krema) - yüzeyini hafifçe geçmekUrdu: سرسری دیکھنا - اوپر سے اتارنا (ملائی/کریم) - سطح کے اوپر سے گزرناIndonesian: membaca sekilas - mengambil permukaan (krim, lemak) - meluncur di permukaan
Example Sentences
Do you prefer whole milk or skim milk in your coffee?
natural
Birds skim the surface of the water.
basic
I will skim the newspaper before work.
basic
She likes to skim the cream off the milk.
basic
You don’t need to read every word—just skim for the important parts.
natural
He quickly skimmed through the report before the meeting.
natural