skill
gb/skˈɪl/ us/skˈɪl/
A2
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
ability from training or experience
The ability to do something well because you have learned and practiced it.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has skill in [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'skill' (countable/uncountable) with 'skills'. 'Skill' often refers to the general concept, while 'skills' refers to specific abilities.
Synonyms
ability (A more general word that can refer to natural talent as well as learned competence.)
|
expertise (Implies a high level of specialized knowledge or ability.)
Antonyms
incompetence (Lack of ability or skill to do something properly.)
Collocations
develop a skill
|practical skills
|communication skills
|technical skills
|show skill
Themes
work
|education
|sports
|arts
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her skill in painting impressed everyone at the gallery.
- Good communication skills are essential for this job.
- He showed great skill in negotiating the contract.
- The chef prepared the meal with remarkable skill.
- Learning a new language takes time and skill.
Learner examples
- She has skill in cooking.
- He is learning new computer skills.
- I need to build my writing skill.
- They showed skill in the game.
- My friend has skill in drawing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
skill
IPA
GB/skˈɪl/
US/skˈɪl/
Syllables & stress
skill (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (skill)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: skill
- Plural: skill, skills
Word family
Forms
skills
noun
Core family
Related words
skillfulness
noun
skillset
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unskilled
adjective
unskillful
adjective
Advanced or less common
reskill
verb
upskill
verb
Expressions
a man of many skills
4/ə mˈæn əv mˈɛni skˈɪlz/
fixed phrase
man with many abilities
A man who can do many different things well.
Examples
- He is a man of many skills, from carpentry to cooking.
- As a man of many skills, he was always in demand.
hard skills
2/hˈɑɹd skˈɪlz/
fixed phrase
specific technical abilities
Abilities you can learn and measure, like using a machine or speaking a language.
Examples
- Programming is one of his strongest hard skills.
- Hard skills like accounting are necessary for this role.
soft skills
1/sˈɔft skˈɪlz/
fixed phrase
personal and social abilities
Qualities like communication and teamwork that help you work well with others.
Examples
- Employers value soft skills such as teamwork and communication.
- Soft skills are just as important as technical knowledge.
to hone a skill
3/tə hˈoʊn ə skˈɪl/
fixed phrase
improve an ability through practice
To make an ability better by practicing it.
Examples
- She honed her writing skills by blogging every day.
- Athletes hone their skills through constant training.