skill
skill
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "skill" is /skɪl/.
skil
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/l/ - alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: skill
Plural Noun: skills
Verb (base form): skill (less common as a verb, often used in compounds like "skilled" or "skill up")
Past Tense Verb: skilled
Past Participle Verb: skilled
Present Participle Verb: skilling
Adjective: skilled (derived from the verb, indicating possession of skill)
Adverb: skillfully
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: The ability to do something well, typically gained through training, experience, or practice. It often implies a level of proficiency or expertise in a particular task or area.
Synonyms: expertise, proficiency, aptitude, talent, mastery, knack, dexterity, ability, capability
Antonyms: inability, incompetence, awkwardness, clumsiness, ineptitude, deficiency
Definition 2: A specific technique or area of knowledge that someone has developed to perform a task effectively.
Synonyms: technique, craft, art, method, faculty, trade
Antonyms: (Not directly applicable, as this refers to a specific type of knowledge rather than its absence. One might consider "ignorance" or "lack of knowledge" in a very broad sense, but it doesn't fit neatly as an antonym for a specific "skill.")
Verb:
Definition 1 (Transitive, less common): To teach or train someone in a particular ability or expertise; to equip with skills. (Often used in the past participle "skilled" or as part of a phrasal verb like "skill up.")
Example: "The program aims to skill young graduates for the tech industry."
Synonyms: train, coach, instruct, educate, equip, prepare
Antonyms: deskill, unskill
Definition 2 (Intransitive, very rare): To develop or acquire a particular ability or expertise.
Synonyms: learn, master, develop proficiency
Antonyms: (Not directly applicable.)
Examples of Use
Books: "The delicate skill of an experienced surgeon is evident in every precise incision." (Adapted from medical texts)
Newspapers: "The new government initiative focuses on upskilling the workforce to meet the demands of emerging industries." ( The Guardian)
Online Publications: "Developing strong communication skills is crucial for career advancement in any field." (Forbes.com)
Entertainment - Film: In the film The Imitation Game, Alan Turing's extraordinary mathematical skill is central to cracking the Enigma code.
Entertainment - Television: "MasterChef" showcases contestants' culinary skills under intense pressure.
Entertainment - Video Games: "Players must hone their strategic skills to overcome challenging opponents in this real-time strategy game." (IGN.com)
Entertainment - Music: "Her vocal skill allows her to effortlessly navigate complex melodies and deliver powerful performances." (Review of a live concert, Rolling Stone)
General Public Discourse: "You need good problem-solving skills to succeed in this project."
General Public Discourse: "That artist has incredible skill with a paintbrush."
General Public Discourse: "He's really trying to skill up on his coding so he can switch careers."
10 Quotes Using Skill
"Skill is the unification of your mind, your body, and your soul." (B.K.S. Iyengar)
"The most important skill for a leader is to listen." (Richard Branson)
"No skill is more crucial to the future of our children than literacy." (George W. Bush)
"Learning a new language is not just acquiring a new set of words, but a new skill for interacting with the world." (Adapted from Ludwig Wittgenstein)
"A man's true wealth is the good he does in the world, and the skill with which he does it." (Adapted from Prophet Muhammad)
"Patience is a necessary ingredient of genius, and a great skill in itself." (Benjamin Disrain)
"Good planning without good working is nothing, and good working without good planning is nothing; it is a question of both skill and commitment." (Adapted from Chinese Proverb)
"Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. There is no substitute for hard work and skill." (Vince Lombardi)
"The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected. To achieve victory, one needs both skill and strategy." (Adapted from Sun Tzu, The Art of War)
"The difference between a master and a beginner is not a difference in talent, but in dedication and the relentless pursuit of skill." (Anonymous)
Etymology
The word "skill" has a pretty interesting journey through language!
It comes to us from Old Norse, which was the language spoken by the Vikings. The Old Norse word was "skil," and its original meaning was about "distinction," "discernment," or "knowledge." Think of it as the ability to tell things apart, to understand, or to know something well enough to make good judgments.
The first known use of "skill" in English appeared in the Middle English period, around the late 12th century (specifically around 1175). At that time, it was still used with meanings related to "knowledge," "divine wisdom," or "the power to tell things apart and make sound judgments." So, if you had "skill," you had good understanding and could discern things clearly.
Over time, the meaning of "skill" gradually shifted to what we understand today: "practical knowledge and ability, cleverness," or the ability to do something well. This more modern sense of practical expertise started appearing in English by the early 13th century. It evolved from the idea of "discernment" (knowing how to tell good from bad, right from wrong) to "the ability to do something effectively" as a result of that knowledge.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Skill
Acquire a new skill: To learn a new ability.
Hone one's skills: To improve or refine one's abilities through practice.
Transferable skills: Abilities that can be used in different jobs or situations.
Soft skills: Personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people.
Hard skills: Specific, teachable abilities that can be easily quantified.
Life skills: Abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life.
Pumping iron (with a focus on strength skill): Engaging in weightlifting to build muscle.
Quick study (implies a skill for learning): Someone who learns new things quickly.
A dab hand at something (implies a skill): Very good at doing something.
Have a knack for something (implies a natural skill): To have a natural ability or talent for doing something.
Master a skill: To become highly proficient at an ability.
Skill set: A collection of abilities and expertise that someone possesses.
Skill up: To develop new skills, often in response to changing job market demands.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of skill from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
