Skimmer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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skimmer

[ˈskɪmər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

kitchen utensil

A skimmer is a flat, perforated spoon used for removing foam or impurities from the surface of liquids such as soups or stocks.

Synonyms

ladle, perforated spoon, strainer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
skimmer	A skimmer is used to remove solid particles from liquids, especially in cooking or cleaning processes. While making soup, use a skimmer to remove excess fat or floating vegetables
strainer	A strainer is used to separate solid particles from liquids. It is often used when you need to rinse or drain larger quantities of food. After cooking pasta, she poured it into a strainer to drain the water
ladle	A ladle is ideal for serving liquids such as soups, stews, or sauces. It has a deep bowl and a long handle. She used a ladle to serve the chicken soup into bowls
perforated spoon	A perforated spoon is used for stirring, especially when you need to drain some liquid but not completely. The spoon has holes to let liquids pass through while retaining solids. Use a perforated spoon to stir and lift boiled vegetables out of the pot

Examples of usage

The chef used a skimmer to remove the foam from the top of the soup.
She skimmed the stock with a skimmer to remove any impurities.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

bird

A skimmer is a type of bird that has a long, narrow bill and feeds by skimming the surface of water for food.

Synonyms

gull, seagull, tern.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
skimmer	This term is best used when referring to a type of bird known for skimming the water's surface for food. We saw a skimmer flying low over the lake. The skimmer caught a fish with incredible precision.
tern	This specific term should be used when discussing birds from the tern family, which are usually smaller and more delicate than gulls. Terns often have a distinctive forked tail. The tern's elegant flight is fascinating to watch.
gull	This word is commonly used to describe any bird from the gull family in general situations. Gulls are often seen near the coast. The gulls were flying in a large flock.
seagull	This term is frequently used in casual conversation to reference gulls specifically found around the sea or coastal areas. A seagull stole my sandwich at the beach. Seagulls are a common sight along the shoreline.

Examples of usage

The skimmer gracefully glided over the water, catching fish with its long bill.
I spotted a skimmer skimming the surface of the lake for insects.

Translations

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

Origin of 'skimmer'

The word 'skimmer' originated from the Middle English word 'skymour', which in turn came from the Old French word 'escumer' meaning 'to skim'. The term has been used since the 14th century to refer to a tool for skimming liquids. The bird species known as skimmers got their name due to their feeding behavior of skimming the water surface for food.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,125 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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30122 tailgate
30123 phrasal
30124 regale
30125 skimmer
30126 pertinently
30127 discourtesy
30128 unaccented
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