skill
A skill is the ability to do a specific task well because you have practiced it.
Explanation at your level:
A skill is something you can do well. For example, playing soccer is a skill. You practice to get better. If you practice every day, you will have a good skill.
A skill is an ability you learn. You might have a skill for cooking or a skill for speaking English. When you practice, your skills get stronger. It is useful to have many skills for school and work.
A skill is a specific ability that you have developed through training. We often talk about 'life skills' like cooking or managing money. If you want to get a better job, you usually need to improve your current skill set.
The term skill refers to the proficiency one gains through experience. In a professional context, we distinguish between 'hard skills' (like coding) and 'soft skills' (like teamwork). Honing these skills is essential for career advancement.
Beyond simple ability, a skill implies a level of mastery and discernment. It is often used in the context of 'transferable skills,' which are competencies that remain relevant across diverse professional landscapes. One must be deliberate in the acquisition of high-level skills.
Etymologically rooted in the concept of discernment, a skill represents the synthesis of theoretical knowledge and practical application. In a C2 context, we might discuss the 'refinement of a craft' or the 'acquisition of nuanced expertise.' It is not merely the ability to perform, but the capacity to perform with elegance and strategic insight.
30초 단어
- Skill is a noun.
- It means an ability learned through practice.
- It is countable.
- It is different from natural talent.
Think of a skill as a superpower you build yourself. It is not something you are necessarily born with; it is something you cultivate through time and effort.
When you have a skill, you can complete a task effectively and consistently. Whether it is a hard skill like carpentry or a soft skill like communication, the core idea remains the same: practice makes perfect.
In our daily lives, we talk about skills to describe what people are capable of doing. If you are good at something, you have a knack for it, but a skill implies you have put in the work to refine that natural ability. It is the bridge between wanting to do something and actually doing it well.
The word skill has a fascinating history. It comes from the Old Norse word skil, which meant 'distinction' or 'discernment.' Back then, it wasn't just about doing a task; it was about the ability to tell things apart or make a wise judgment.
As it moved into Middle English, the meaning shifted toward 'knowledge' and 'understanding.' It wasn't until later that it evolved into the modern sense of 'technical ability' or 'proficiency.' It is closely related to the word skilful, which highlights the grace with which one performs a task.
Interestingly, the word shares roots with the idea of 'splitting' or 'dividing'—like splitting a hair to show precision. It shows how our ancestors viewed being skilled as being able to discern the fine details of a craft.
We use skill in both casual and professional settings. You might say, 'She has great people skills' at a party, or 'This job requires technical skills' during an interview.
Common collocations include master a skill, develop a skill, and honing a skill. When you are talking about professional contexts, you often hear about transferable skills, which are abilities you can take from one job to another.
The register is generally neutral. It is perfectly acceptable in academic papers, business reports, and casual conversation. Just remember that it is a countable noun, so you can have one skill or many skills.
- A skill set: A collection of abilities. 'Her skill set is perfect for this project.'
- Skill up: To learn new skills. 'We need to skill up the team to use the new software.'
- A jack of all trades: Someone with many skills but no master. 'He is a jack of all trades, but master of none.'
- Put to the test: To use your skills in a real situation. 'His driving skills were put to the test in the storm.'
- Sharpen your skills: To improve your abilities through practice. 'I take classes to sharpen my skills.'
The word skill is a regular noun. Its plural form is skills. You will often see it used with adjectives like valuable, essential, or practical.
Pronunciation: In both British and American English, it is pronounced /skɪl/. The 'sk' blend at the start is crisp, and the 'l' at the end is a 'dark l' sound.
Rhyming words include drill, fill, hill, mill, and will. It is a one-syllable word, so the stress is always on that single sound. Use it with 'a' or 'an' when singular, or as a plural without an article.
Fun Fact
It originally meant the ability to tell things apart!
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'i' sound, crisp 'sk' blend.
Very similar to UK, clear 'l' ending.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'sk' blend
- Adding an extra syllable
- Confusing 'i' with 'ee'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Commonly used
Commonly used
Clear pronunciation
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
I have two skills.
Verb + Gerund
He practiced painting.
Adjective + Noun
A useful skill.
Examples by Level
Cooking is a good skill.
Cooking = making food
Noun usage
I have the skill to swim.
Skill = ability
Infinitive phrase
She has many skills.
Plural form
Plural noun
He wants to learn a skill.
Learn = study
Verb + object
Is this a hard skill?
Hard = difficult
Question form
They show their skills.
Show = display
Subject-verb agreement
I need a new skill.
New = different
Indefinite article
It is a basic skill.
Basic = simple
Adjective + noun
She improved her reading skills.
He has a skill for fixing cars.
Learning a language is a useful skill.
They are teaching us new skills.
What is your best skill?
I want to develop my computer skills.
She has great social skills.
It takes time to build a skill.
Communication is a vital skill in the workplace.
He is trying to master the skill of public speaking.
The job requires a specific set of skills.
She has a unique skill for solving problems.
You can learn many skills online.
His organizational skills are impressive.
They are looking for candidates with leadership skills.
I am focusing on sharpening my writing skills.
She demonstrated a high level of skill during the presentation.
The project requires a diverse range of technical skills.
He is known for his exceptional analytical skills.
Developing soft skills is just as important as technical ones.
She has the skills necessary to lead the team.
They are offering training to help employees gain new skills.
His negotiation skills helped close the deal.
It is a skill that takes years to perfect.
The artisan displayed a remarkable skill in woodcarving.
She possesses the rare skill of mediating complex conflicts.
His strategic planning skills are second to none.
The curriculum focuses on the acquisition of critical thinking skills.
She has honed her linguistic skills over many years.
The role demands a high degree of interpersonal skill.
He leveraged his technical skills to innovate the process.
It is a skill that requires both intuition and practice.
Her mastery of the craft is a testament to her profound skill.
He exhibits a subtle skill in navigating corporate politics.
The nuances of the language require a sophisticated skill set.
She approaches the task with the skill of a seasoned professional.
His ability to synthesize information is a highly valued skill.
The artistic endeavor demands a unique blend of creative skills.
She has cultivated a skill for finding beauty in the mundane.
The finesse with which he works is a mark of true skill.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"A jack of all trades"
Someone who can do many things but none perfectly
He is a jack of all trades, but master of none.
casual"Skill up"
To gain more skills
The company is helping us skill up.
business"Put your skills to the test"
To use your abilities in a real situation
Today we put our skills to the test.
neutral"Sharpen your skills"
To improve your abilities
I take workshops to sharpen my skills.
neutral"Skill set"
The range of skills someone has
Her skill set is perfect for this role.
businessEasily Confused
Both refer to ability
Talent is natural, skill is learned
He has a talent for art; he developed the skill of painting.
Both are nouns for capacity
Ability is broader; skill is specific
She has the ability to run; she has the skill of sprinting.
Both relate to proficiency
Expertise is a deep, high-level knowledge
He has the skill to fix it; he has the expertise to design it.
Both relate to work
Craft is usually manual or artistic
He has the skill of coding; he has the craft of woodcarving.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + has + a + skill + for + gerund
She has a skill for painting.
Subject + develop + skills
I want to develop skills.
Subject + master + the + skill + of + gerund
He mastered the skill of listening.
Subject + improve + skills
We improve our skills daily.
Subject + lack + the + skill + to + verb
They lack the skill to do this.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Skill is a noun, not a verb.
Sometimes people confuse skill with general knowledge.
Talent is natural; skill is practiced.
It is a regular noun.
Skill is an abstract ability.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a toolbox where each tool is a skill.
Native Speakers
They often use 'skills' as a plural noun.
Cultural Insight
Skills are often listed on resumes.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' before singular skill.
Say It Right
Keep the 'l' at the end soft.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb!
Did You Know?
It comes from Norse words for 'distinction'.
Study Smart
Write a list of your top 5 skills.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
SKILL: Study, Keep, Improve, Learn, Live.
Visual Association
A person sharpening a sword (honing a skill).
Word Web
챌린지
List 3 skills you have.
어원
Old Norse
Original meaning: distinction or discernment
문화적 맥락
None
Highly valued in career-oriented cultures.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- technical skills
- leadership skills
- soft skills
At school
- study skills
- learning a new skill
- developing skills
Hobbies
- honing a skill
- mastering a skill
- natural skill
Job hunting
- transferable skills
- skill set
- required skills
Conversation Starters
"What is a skill you want to learn?"
"What is your best skill?"
"Do you think skills are more important than talent?"
"How do you improve your skills?"
"What is a skill that is hard to learn?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a skill you learned this year.
How can you improve your current skill set?
Why is it important to learn new skills?
Describe a person you know who has a unique skill.
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No, it is a noun.
Add an 's' to get 'skills'.
No, use 'I am learning' or 'I am developing my skills'.
Talent is natural; skill is learned.
Yes.
Yes, it is very common.
It means all the skills a person has.
Yes.
셀프 테스트
I have the ___ to ride a bike.
Skill is the ability to do something.
What is a synonym for skill?
Ability and skill are similar.
Is skill a verb?
Skill is a noun.
Word
뜻
These are common collocations.
I must improve my skills.
점수: /5
Summary
A skill is not something you are born with; it is something you build through practice and dedication.
- Skill is a noun.
- It means an ability learned through practice.
- It is countable.
- It is different from natural talent.
Memory Palace
Imagine a toolbox where each tool is a skill.
Native Speakers
They often use 'skills' as a plural noun.
Cultural Insight
Skills are often listed on resumes.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' before singular skill.
예시
Learning to drive is a useful skill for everyday life.
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