Skill: meaning, definitions and examples

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skill

[skɪl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

ability

The ability to do something well; expertise.

Synonyms

capability, competence, expertise, proficiency.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
skill	Use 'skill' to talk about the ability to do something well, usually something that takes practice to learn. John has great cooking skills She demonstrated her skills on the piano
expertise	Use 'expertise' to describe a high level of knowledge or skill in a specific area, usually gained through experience. Dr Smith's expertise in neurosurgery is well-known We need your expertise to solve this problem
capability	Use 'capability' to talk about someone's potential or the power to do something, often in a broader or more general sense. The robot's capabilities are impressive She has the capability to lead the team
proficiency	Use 'proficiency' to indicate a good degree of skill or ability in a particular area, often measured through tests or levels. Her proficiency in Spanish is impressive He achieved a high level of proficiency in programming
competence	Use 'competence' to discuss the necessary ability to do something to a certain standard, often used in professional or educational contexts. Her competence in handling customer complaints is commendable He showed a lack of competence during the presentation

Examples of usage

She has excellent writing skills.
He has good leadership skills.
I am impressed by her negotiation skills.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

performing arts

A particular ability or capacity in a specific area, such as music, dance, or acting.

Synonyms

ability, aptitude, gift, talent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
skill	Used to describe expertise or proficiency acquired through practice and training. It is often related to specific tasks or activities. Her cooking skills are impressive. He has honed his skills as a carpenter over many years.
talent	Refers to a natural ability or proficiency in a particular area, suggesting not only innate ability but also the potential to achieve great things with development and practice. His talent for singing was recognized by his teachers. She has a talent for coding and development, making complex algorithms look easy.
aptitude	Emphasizes a natural inclination or quickness in learning and understanding specific types of tasks or knowledge. It is often used in educational and professional contexts. He has an aptitude for languages, picking up new vocabulary easily. Her aptitude for music became evident at an early age.
gift	Used to describe an exceptional natural talent or endowment, often seen as something innate or given without effort. It carries a positive and often admiring tone. She has a gift for painting that leaves everyone in awe. His gift for storytelling captivates audiences.
ability	Refers to the general capacity to perform actions or tasks, often highlighting natural potential but can also encompass learned skills. She has the ability to solve complex mathematical problems. His ability to stay calm under pressure is remarkable.

Examples of usage

She has incredible singing skills.
He is known for his exceptional dancing skills.
They are honing their acting skills in drama class.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

improve

To improve one's ability in a particular activity through practice and training.

Synonyms

develop, enhance, hone, improve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
skill	Used to describe an ability or expertise that someone has acquired through practice and education. Often used in job descriptions or resumes. She has excellent communication skills. His skills in programming are exceptional.
improve	Used when talking about making something better, more efficient, or more valuable. Can be applied to various skills, conditions, or situations. They plan to improve their customer service. She has been working hard to improve her reading skills.
enhance	Used to describe making something that already exists better or more effective. Often used in formal or professional contexts. The new software will enhance productivity. They attended workshops to enhance their leadership skills.
develop	Used when talking about the process of acquiring or improving skills, traits, or attributes over time through practice and experience. They are working to develop new strategies for marketing. He developed his negotiation skills during his career in sales.
hone	Used to describe sharpening or refining a skill or ability through continuous practice. Implies a focus on perfection and precision. She spent years honing her artistic skills. He honed his public speaking abilities by joining a local club.

Examples of usage

She is working hard to skill up in her programming abilities.
He skilfully improved his cooking skills by attending a culinary course.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old Norse word 'skil', meaning 'to discern or separate,' reflecting the idea of knowing how to do things.
In Middle English, 'skill' was often associated with knowledge and judgment, emphasizing both ability and understanding.
The modern meaning took shape in the 14th century, shifting towards practical abilities developed through experience.

Psychology

The development of skills can be broken into stages, starting with novice to expert, showcasing how practice influences proficiency.
Cognitive psychology studies how skills are formed, suggesting that repeated practice embeds tasks into long-term memory.
Research indicates that about 10,000 hours of dedicated practice can lead to mastery in a specific area, known as 'the 10,000-hour rule.'

Education

Skills are categorized as hard (technical) skills, like coding, and soft skills, like communication, both crucial for career success.
Project-based learning emphasizes hands-on experiences to develop practical skills, preparing students for real-world challenges.
Employers often prioritize candidates with demonstrated skills, as they are seen as more valuable than formal education alone.

Pop Culture

Popular talent shows like 'America's Got Talent' celebrate diverse skills from singing to acrobatics, showcasing the range of human capabilities.
Video games often emphasize skill development, where players must practice and refine their abilities to progress in the game.
The rise of DIY culture on platforms like YouTube highlights skill sharing, with users teaching others everything from cooking to woodworking.

Technology

In programming, skill development often involves learning multiple languages and frameworks to adapt to evolving technology.
Digital skills are increasingly important, with resources available online to help develop skills in areas like data analysis and graphic design.
With the introduction of artificial intelligence, the demand for reskilling and upskilling in various professions is on the rise.

Translations

Translations of the word "skill" in other languages:

🇵🇹 habilidade

🇮🇳 कौशल

🇩🇪 Fähigkeit

🇮🇩 keterampilan

🇺🇦 навичка

🇵🇱 umiejętność

🇯🇵 技能 (ginō)

🇫🇷 compétence

🇪🇸 habilidad

🇹🇷 beceri

🇰🇷 기술 (gisul)

🇸🇦 مهارة (maharah)

🇨🇿 dovednost

🇸🇰 zručnosť

🇨🇳 技能 (jìnéng)

🇸🇮 spretnost

🇮🇸 hæfni

🇰🇿 қабілет

🇬🇪 უნარი (unari)

🇦🇿 bacarıq

🇲🇽 habilidad

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,457, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2454 acute
2455 visited
2456 heaven
2457 skill
2458 subsection
2459 fault
2460 criticism
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