plural skis also ski
1
a
: one of a pair of narrow strips of wood, metal, or plastic curving upward in front that are used especially for gliding over snow
b
2
: a piece of material that resembles a ski and is used as a runner on a vehicle

ski

2 of 4

verb (1)

intransitive verb

: to glide on skis in travel or as a sport

transitive verb

: to travel or pass over on skis
skier noun
plural skies
1
: the upper atmosphere or expanse of space that constitutes an apparent great vault or arch over the earth
2
3
a
: weather in the upper atmosphere
b
: climate
… temperate English skies …—G. G. Coulton

sky

4 of 4

verb (2)

skied or skyed; skying

transitive verb

1
chiefly British : to throw or toss up : flip
2
: to hang (something, such as a painting) above the line of vision
3
: to hit (a ball) high into the air

intransitive verb

: to jump high
sky for a rebound

Examples of ski in a Sentence

Verb (1) I have skied that mountain before. Noun (2) There wasn't a cloud in the sky. Dark clouds moved quickly across the sky. Hailstones suddenly fell out of the sky. The sun was high in the sky. The forecast is for sunny skies tomorrow. a patch of blue sky
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
As a budget-friendly alternative to Banff’s higher-profile ski resorts, consider hitting the slopes at Nakiska, a little over an hour’s drive from Calgary. — Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2026 Cordova launched in 2016 with 120 women’s ski suits and is now sold at retailers including Net-a-porter, Mytheresa and Moda Operandi. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
Mahomes floated one in over the shoulder of Noah Gray for a 22-yard completion to set up a field goal, and Kelce skied for an 11-yard touchdown reception to seal the outcome. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026 After McConnell hit a wedge to 15 feet, Florjancic skied his approach off the back of the green, leaving McConnell another window. — Harris Horowitz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
The influence of Black American music was absent from not just their Warwickshire peers at the time, but all of the dour indie milieu toiling under Thatcher’s grey skies. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026 Its 4-mile (6-kilometer) promenade links broad sandy beaches, including Playa del Bajondillo and Playa de la Carihuela, offering plenty of potential eclipse-watching spots with views toward the eastern sky. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
Organic food, skies full of birds, farmland webbed with hedgerows. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 Dark, clear skies away from city lights provide the best viewing conditions. — Ashley Lynch july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ski

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Norwegian, from Old Norse skīth stick of wood, ski; akin to Old English scīd board, scēadan to divide — more at shed entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English, cloud, sky, from Old Norse skȳ cloud; akin to Old English scēo cloud

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

circa 1890, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1802, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ski was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ski.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ski. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

plural skis
: one of a pair of narrow strips of wood, metal, or plastic curving upward in front that are used for gliding over snow or water

ski

2 of 2 verb
skied; skiing
: to glide on skis
skier noun
Etymology

Noun

from Norwegian ski "a ski," from an early Norse word skīth "a stick of wood"

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