skill
/skɪl
/noun [mass noun]
1The ability to do something well; expertise: difficult work, taking great skill...
- I have seen the staff of the NHS who show not just skill and expertise but love, care and friendship.
- They are asking for a fair day's pay for a fair day's work that reflects their expertise and skill.
- As if he hadn't heard her, he continued to steer the car, maneuvering it with expert skill.
Synonyms
expertise, skilfulness, expertness, adeptness, adroitness, deftness, dexterity, ability, prowess, mastery, competence, competency, capability, efficiency, aptitude, artistry, art, finesse, flair, virtuosity, experience, professionalism, talent, cleverness, smartness, ingenuity, versatility, knack, readiness, handiness
informal know-how
1.1 [count noun] A particular ability: the skills of cookery...
- Students learn basic computer skills in computer classroom.
- Many Fortune 500 companies believe that basic communications skills training pays back significant dividends.
- Some children may require a great deal of support as they acquire the social skills necessary for maximum independence.
Synonyms
accomplishment, strength, gift, forte
verb [with object] (usually as noun skilling)
Train (a worker) to do a particular task: there is a lack of basic skilling...
- Indeed, older Australians in general must not be neglected in our push to skill the nation.
- Alexander's new job is to tub-thump for more business start-ups, better training, better skilling, raising our business horizons.
- And I think that is where the centre of the debate is: does record numbers in training necessarily equate with appropriate skilling of the nation?
Derivatives
skilless
- We ran out of skilless jobs 20 years ago, there is nothing left for citizens let alone the invaders.
- The Buster Douglas defeat was Tyson outside of his prime, Tyson at that point fought like a skilless headhunter and bully.
Origin
Late Old English scele 'knowledge', from Old Norse skil 'discernment, knowledge'.