Skimming: meaning, definitions and examples

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skimming

 

[ ˈskɪmɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

reading quickly

Skimming is the process of reading quickly to get a general idea of the content. It involves quickly scanning through the text to identify key points and main ideas.

Synonyms

browse, glance, scan.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
skimming

Skimming is used when quickly reading through text to get the main idea without going into details. This is often done with books, articles, or any lengthy text.

  • She was skimming through the article to get the gist of it before the meeting.
  • I just skimmed the book to get a sense of the plot.
scan

Scan is used when looking over something quickly to identify specific information. This is often more focused than skimming but still quick.

  • He scanned the document for any mentions of his name.
  • She scanned the room to find her friend.
browse

Browse is used when looking through things in a casual or leisurely way. This can apply to books, websites, or stores.

  • He browsed the internet for information on his next travel destination.
  • She spent the afternoon browsing through the shops.
glance

Glance is used when taking a quick look at something, often briefly and without much focus. It suggests a fleeting look.

  • He glanced at his watch and realized he was late.
  • She glanced at the newspaper headlines while having breakfast.

Examples of usage

  • I was skimming through the report to find the main conclusions.
  • She skimmed the article to see if it was relevant to her research.
Context #2 | Noun

liquid

Skimming can also refer to the act of removing impurities or floating matter from the surface of a liquid. This is commonly done with milk to remove the cream layer.

Synonyms

extract, filter, remove.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
skimming

Used when referring to quickly looking over or removing the surface layer of something.

  • She was skimming through the book to find the important sections
  • The chef was skimming the fat off the soup
remove

Used when taking something away from a specific place or eliminating it entirely.

  • Please remove your shoes before entering the house
  • They had to remove the old files to make space
extract

Used when pulling out specific information or materials from a larger source.

  • He had to extract key details from the research paper
  • The dentist will extract the tooth if it’s causing pain
filter

Used when separating desired elements from a mixture or removing unwanted parts, often involving a process of selection.

  • We need to filter out spam emails from our inbox
  • The water is filtered to remove impurities

Examples of usage

  • The chef skimmed the fat off the top of the soup.
  • She used a spoon to skim the scum off the boiling broth.

Translations

Translations of the word "skimming" in other languages:

🇵🇹 leitura dinâmica

🇮🇳 स्किमिंग (skimming)

🇩🇪 Überfliegen

🇮🇩 membaca cepat

🇺🇦 швидке читання

🇵🇱 przeglądanie

🇯🇵 スキミング (sukimingu)

🇫🇷 lecture rapide

🇪🇸 lectura rápida

🇹🇷 hızlı okuma

🇰🇷 스키밍 (seukiming)

🇸🇦 التصفح السريع

🇨🇿 rychlé čtení

🇸🇰 rýchle čítanie

🇨🇳 快速阅读 (kuàisù yuèdú)

🇸🇮 hitro branje

🇮🇸 hraðlesa

🇰🇿 жылдам оқу

🇬🇪 სწრაფი კითხვა

🇦🇿 sürətli oxuma

🇲🇽 lectura rápida

Etymology

The word 'skimming' originated from the Middle English word 'skemen' which meant to glide or move quickly over a surface. It has been used in various contexts over the years, from reading techniques to liquid purification methods.

See also: skim, skimmer.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,472, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.