Skim over Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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skim over

[skɪm ˈoʊvər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

reading

To read or look through something quickly or superficially, without paying much attention to details.

Synonyms

browse, glance through, scan.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
skim over	This phrase is used when you read something quickly and not in detail, often to get a general idea of the content. It indicates a quick and superficial interaction with the text. I only had time to skim over the report before the meeting. She skimmed over the article to catch the main points.
scan	This term is used when you look over something carefully and quickly, often to find specific information. It suggests a more intentional search compared to 'skim over'. She scanned the text for any mentions of her name. I scanned the crowd for a familiar face.
glance through	Use this when you look quickly at something, usually to get a brief idea or to check something specific. This implies a very quick and casual look. He glanced through the magazine while waiting for his appointment. I just glanced through the instructions before starting.
browse	This word is often used when you look through a variety of items or information without seeking anything specific. It can be applied to books, websites, stores, etc. I like to browse through bookstores on weekends. She was browsing the internet when she found the information.

Examples of usage

I only had time to skim over the report before the meeting.
She skimmed over the newspaper to see if there were any interesting articles.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

cooking

To remove a substance (such as fat or scum) from the surface of a liquid.

Synonyms

remove, skim off.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
skim over	As noted earlier, this term can also mean to quickly read through something without attention to detail. I skimmed over the instructions because I was in a hurry. He tends to skim over the emails and sometimes misses important information.
remove	This is a general term used when you take something away or out of a place. Please remove your shoes before entering the house. They had to remove the old wallpaper before painting the room.
skim off	This term is often used when you take off a thin layer from the surface of a liquid. She used a spoon to skim off the fat from the soup. He carefully skimmed off the cream from the milk.

Word

Description / Examples

skim over

As noted earlier, this term can also mean to quickly read through something without attention to detail.

I skimmed over the instructions because I was in a hurry.
He tends to skim over the emails and sometimes misses important information.

remove

This is a general term used when you take something away or out of a place.

Please remove your shoes before entering the house.
They had to remove the old wallpaper before painting the room.

skim off

This term is often used when you take off a thin layer from the surface of a liquid.

She used a spoon to skim off the fat from the soup.
He carefully skimmed off the cream from the milk.

Examples of usage

She used a spoon to skim over the soup and remove the excess fat.
The chef skimmed over the sauce to make it smoother.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

Skimming is a common reading strategy used to quickly identify main ideas in texts, especially in academic settings.
Many educators encourage students to skim articles before reading deeply to determine if the material is relevant to their research.
Digital content, like articles and blogs, is often formatted with headers and bullet points to facilitate skimming.

Psychology

Research suggests that skimming can lead to improved reading speed but might also result in missed details and depth of understanding.
Cognitive overload in today's information-heavy world has made skimming a necessary skill to manage time and resources effectively.
Skimming can foster a shallow understanding of a topic, which can be counterproductive if comprehensive knowledge is required.

Technology

With the rise of the internet, skimming has become prevalent due to the sheer volume of information available online.
Many web designers optimize content for skimming by using short paragraphs, bullet points, and embedded links.
Advanced algorithms in reading apps now help users track important information, encouraging skimming for efficiency.

Literature

In literature, characters who skim over events often miss critical plot points, creating dramatic irony when the truth is revealed.
Authors may use skimming as a narrative device to show a character's lack of insight or understanding of complex situations.
Some literary critiques argue that skimming through texts may contribute to a decline in deep reading, impacting literacy skills.

Origin of 'skim over'

Main points about word origin

The term 'skim' comes from the Old Norse word 'skima,' which means to gleam or glimmer, suggesting a surface-level glance.
The phrase ‘skim over’ combines the idea of 'skimming,' like how cream rises to the top, with 'over,' indicating a superficial approach.
In literary contexts, skimming has evolved to represent fast reading strategies developed in response to increasing information overload.

The term 'skim over' originated from the combination of the word 'skim' meaning 'to move lightly over a surface' and the word 'over' indicating the action of moving across or beyond. It first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century.