Skills: meaning, definitions and examples

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skills

[skɪlz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

personal development

The ability to do something well; expertise.

Synonyms

ability, expertise, proficiency, talent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
skills	When talking about acquired capabilities or competencies in various areas such as work, hobbies, or education. This word is broad and can be used in general contexts. She has excellent communication skills. The job requires strong technical skills.
expertise	To describe advanced knowledge or skill in a particular field. Generally used in professional or academic settings. Her expertise in data analysis is well-regarded. We need someone with legal expertise for this case.
ability	To refer to the capacity to do something, often innate or natural. Used to describe general capability in everyday tasks or specific actions. He has the ability to solve complex problems quickly. Her artistic ability is impressive.
talent	To describe natural aptitude or skill, often in arts, sports, or creative fields. It implies an innate quality rather than learned capability. She has a natural talent for singing. His basketball talent was evident from a young age.
proficiency	When referring to a high degree of competence or skill in a specific area, often measured or tested. His proficiency in Spanish is at a native level. You must demonstrate proficiency with this software.

Examples of usage

My sister has great skills in playing the piano.
He has excellent communication skills.
She demonstrated her leadership skills during the project.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

employment

A particular ability or proficiency; a talent.

Synonyms

ability, aptitude, capability, talent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
skills	Use when referring to learned and practiced abilities that are often job-related or task-specific. He has strong computer skills Her culinary skills are impressive
ability	Refers to the general capacity to do something, often inborn or naturally acquired, and can be used broadly. She has the ability to solve complex problems His ability to communicate is exceptional
talent	Denotes a natural or exceptional ability in a specific area, often used in a complimentary manner. She has an amazing talent for painting His talent for languages is impressive
capability	Highlights the potential to perform a particular task or achieve something, often in a broader or more complex sense. The software has the capability to handle large data sets His capability in managing the team was evident
aptitude	Indicates a natural tendency or talent for learning something quickly, often used in the context of potential or suitability for a particular task. He showed great aptitude for music at a young age Her aptitude for mathematics is remarkable

Examples of usage

She showcased her writing skills in the article.
The job requires good organizational skills.
His problem-solving skills are outstanding.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

informal

To be able to do something well.

Synonyms

achieve, excel, master, perform.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
skills	Use this term when talking about abilities that someone has learned and developed through practice or training. She has excellent communication skills. His technical skills are unmatched in the industry.
excel	Fit for situations where someone performs extremely well or surpasses others in a specific area or activity. He always excels in mathematics. This company excels in customer service.
perform	Useful when referring to carrying out a task or activity, particularly in a professional or formal setting. He needs to perform well in the interview. The team performed admirably under pressure.
master	Best used when someone has attained a high level of proficiency or control over a subject, skill, or activity. She has mastered the art of public speaking. To master a language, one must practice constantly.
achieve	This word is appropriate when referring to reaching a goal or accomplishing something significant through effort. They worked hard to achieve their goals. She managed to achieve a perfect score on her exam.

Examples of usage

She skills at playing the guitar.
He skills in computer programming.
They skills at multitasking.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'skills' comes from the Old Norse word 'skylda', which means to separate or to divide, hinting at the variety of abilities a person can develop.
In Middle English, the term evolved to 'skille', reflecting the idea of a 'deliberate action' or clear capability.

Education

Skills are often categorized into hard skills, which are specific and measurable (like coding), and soft skills, which relate to how you work with others (like communication).
Learning new skills is a lifelong process that can improve personal and professional growth, adapted to changing job markets.

Pop Culture

Popular reality TV shows like 'The Great British Bake Off' highlight contestants' culinary skills in a competitive yet friendly environment.
Video games often reward players with skill advancements, allowing them to level up and become proficient in various challenges.

Psychology

Skill acquisition is linked to the brain’s plasticity, where new neural connections are formed through practice and experience.
The 10,000-hour rule suggests that approximately 10,000 hours of practice can lead to mastery in a specific skill.

History

Throughout history, artisans and craftspeople have passed down skills through apprenticeships, ensuring the survival of various trades and crafts.
Military training often relies on specialized skills, developing troops' abilities to work as cohesive units in strategic situations.

Translations

Translations of the word "skills" in other languages:

🇵🇹 habilidades

🇮🇳 कौशल

🇩🇪 Fähigkeiten

🇮🇩 keterampilan

🇺🇦 навички

🇵🇱 umiejętności

🇯🇵 スキル

🇫🇷 compétences

🇪🇸 habilidades

🇹🇷 beceriler

🇰🇷 기술

🇸🇦 مهارات

🇨🇿 dovednosti

🇸🇰 zručnosti

🇨🇳 技能

🇸🇮 veščine

🇮🇸 hæfileikar

🇰🇿 қабілеттер

🇬🇪 უნარები

🇦🇿 bacarıqlar

🇲🇽 habilidades

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,749, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.

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1746 consequence
1747 typical
1748 formal
1749 skills
1750 operate
1751 thick
1752 belief
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