# skill vs skim

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### skill
*noun · IPA /skɪl/ · frequency rank #3,526*
A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate.

### skim
*verb · IPA /skɪm/ · frequency rank #23,397*
To pass lightly; to glide along in an even, smooth course; to glide along near the surface.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skill-vs-skim