skill set

noun

: a set of skills
especially : a collection of skills and abilities that can be applied to a professional or creative endeavor
The job is a good match for her skill set.
She chooses to pursue a position in public relations—"journalism's evil twin"—reasoning that it will require much the same "skill set" that a published writer has. —Alexandra Jacobs
Cauchetier's skill set—he was both a high-wire documentarian and, in effect, a director of fictions—uniquely qualified him to share in the multifarious spirit of the New Wave. —Richard Brody

Examples of skill set in a Sentence

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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.
However, representing the US from the White House podium requires a different skill set. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Phoenix and Washington make the most sense for her skill set unless big shakeups in Minnesota or Dallas change those rosters. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Players such as Hamilton and Jake Bauers — who drew a crucial 12-pitch walk against Yoshinobu Yamamoto during Milwaukee’s third-inning rally — were castoffs elsewhere, but the Brewers figured out how to optimize their skill sets. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026 With five removable attachments, the FlexFusion Ceramic Air Styler is essentially an entire hairstylist’s toolkit at home—without needing an expert-level skill set to use it. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skill set

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skill set was in 1976

Rhymes for skill set

See All Rhymes for skill set

Browse Nearby Words

skill-less
skill set
skilly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skill set.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skill%20set. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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