Skimming: meaning, definitions and examples

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skimming

[ˈskɪmɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{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?

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?

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word traces back to the Old Norse word 'skima,' which means 'to glance' or 'to shine.'
It originally referred to the action of removing the top layer, like cream from milk, and evolved into the reading technique we know today.

Education

Skimming is often taught as a reading technique to help students increase their reading speed and comprehension.
Educational research suggests that skimming can enhance learning by allowing readers to prioritize important sections of texts.

Literature

Many authors employ skimming strategies in their writing by using headings, bullet points, and bold text to help highlight key information.
Book reviewers sometimes skim through texts to form a quick judgment before deciding to read fully.

Psychology

Cognitive studies show that skimming engages different memory processes, allowing readers to retain information even if they don't read every word.
Skimming appeals to the brain's preference for processing visual information quickly, making it a useful strategy in today’s fast-paced information age.

Business

In professional settings, skimming is a vital skill for quickly assessing reports, emails, and documents, saving time and enhancing productivity.
Many companies train employees in skimming techniques to improve data comprehension and decision-making efficiency.

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

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.

...
19469 trotting
19470 patriarchy
19471 convulsion
19472 skimming
19473 pantomime
19474 preset
19475 unfulfilled
...