# skirmish

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈskɜːmɪʃ/ · frequency rank #26,964

## Definitions
1. A brief battle between small groups, usually part of a longer or larger battle or war.
2. Any minor dispute.
3. A type of outdoor military style game using paintball or similar weapons.

## Etymology
From Middle English skirmish (as a verb), from Old French escarmouche (“skirmish”), from Italian scaramuccia, earlier schermugio. Doublet of escarmouche, Scaramouche, and Scaramucci.

## Easily confused with
- **skittish** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skirmish-vs-skittish)

## Common misspellings (13)
`ksirmish`, `sikrmish`, `skimrish`, `skirimsh`, `skirmihs`, `skirmishh`, `skirmissh`, `skirmmish`, `skirmsih`, `skirrmish`, `skkirmish`, `skrimish`, `sskirmish`

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