SKILL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does skill mean? 

• SKILL (noun)
  The noun SKILL has 2 senses:

1. an ability that has been acquired by training

2. ability to produce solutions in some problem domain

  Familiarity information: SKILL used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SKILL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An ability that has been acquired by training

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

accomplishment; acquirement; acquisition; attainment; skill

Hypernyms ("skill" is a kind of...):

ability; power (possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "skill"):

craft; craftsmanship; workmanship (skill in an occupation or trade)

horsemanship (skill in handling and riding horses)

literacy (the ability to read and write)

marksmanship (skill in shooting)

mastership (the skill of a master)

mixology (skill in preparing mixed drinks)

numeracy (skill with numbers and mathematics)

oarsmanship (skill as an oarsman)

salesmanship (skill in selling; skill in persuading people to buy)

seamanship (skill in sailing)

showmanship (the ability to present something (especially theatrical shows) in an attractive manner)

soldiering; soldiership (skills that are required for the life of soldier)

swordsmanship (skill in fencing)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Ability to produce solutions in some problem domain

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

science; skill

Context example:

the sweet science of pugilism

Hypernyms ("skill" is a kind of...):

ability; power (possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "skill"):

nose (a natural skill)

virtuosity (technical skill or fluency or style exhibited by a virtuoso)

 Context examples 

The findings could lead to new approaches for improving thinking skills at various life stages.

(Longevity gene linked to better brain skills, NIH, US)

Clinical nursing applies the skills and processes of nursing to patients in an acute care environment.

(Clinical Nursing, NCI Thesaurus)

A disorder characterized by an impairment in the development of an individual's motor coordination skills; this impairment in motor development is not due to a medical condition.

(Developmental Coordination Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)

Early treatment programs can help improve skills.

(Down Syndrome, NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

Physical or behavioral signs of maturation or skills gained by a developing child, which should be achieved by a given age that provide important information regarding the child's development.

(Developmental Milestone, NCI Thesaurus)

Compared to children of normal weight mothers, children of obese mothers were nearly 70 percent more likely to have failed the test indicator on fine motor skill by age 3.

(Parental obesity linked to delays in child development, National Institutes of Health)

Not even your skill can inform me where she is now.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Oh, that a time might soon come for you to turn your skill to some account!

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

Language is a vital skill, Segaert said.

(Exercise May Help Seniors with Word, Memory Problems, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a brain disorder that destroys memory and thinking skills over time.

(Aerobic Exercise May Mildly Delay, Slightly Improve Alzheimer's Symptoms, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)