skills
English meaning: Skills
Definition
To set apart; separate.
Example
“Employers value strong communication skills in their staff.”
Another example: “The course helps you build practical skills for the workplace.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Almost always the plural noun meaning abilities developed through training ('communication skills', 'job skills'). The rare verb sense ('to skill = to separate') is archaic/dialectal. Neutral register; very common in education and employment.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old Norse 'skil' 'distinction, discernment, knowledge'; the 'ability' sense from the 13th century.
Synonyms
- abilities
- competences
- talents
- aptitudes
- expertise
Antonyms / Opposites
- inability
- incompetence
Related Words
- skill
- abilities
- grade
- demonstrated
- qualifications
- understanding
- math
- reading
- knowledge
- curriculum
Common Collocations
- communication skills
- people skills
- soft skills
- develop skills
- skill set
- learn new skills
Word Forms
skill (sing); skills (pl); skilled (adj); skilful/skillful (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B