Skill Once Meant Making a Distinction
Skill is the ability to do something well. The Old Norse behind it meant discernment, telling one thing from another.
Skill is the ability to do something well, usually gained through practice. Old Norse *skil* meant discernment or distinction, from a verb meaning to separate — so skill began as the ability to tell things apart, and only later meant the ability to do them. The connection is sound: expertise really is largely a matter of noticing differences novices cannot see. The related Norse verb also gives *skilled* and, distantly, *shell* and *shale*, all from a root meaning to split.
- Practised ability. *Great skill.*
- Skilled — having skill. *A skilled worker.*
- Skilful — showing skill. *A skilful pass.*
- Old Norse — *skil*, discernment. *The source.*
- Unskilled — without training. *Unskilled labour.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | skill | A skill. |
| Plural | skills | Skills. |
| Adjective | skilled | Skilled. |
| Adjective (UK) | skilful | Skilful. |
| Adjective (US) | skillful | Skillful. |
- It takes real skill.Ability.
- Skil meant discernment.Etymology.
- A skilled craftsman.Adjective.
Skill and its near neighbours
- Skill — practised competence, learned
- Talent — natural aptitude, before training
- Craft — skill applied to making things
- Expertise — deep knowledge of a field
- Knack — a small useful trick, often acquired by accident
Old Norse *skil*, distinction or discernment, from a verb meaning to separate or divide.
Why did skill mean discernment?
The Norse word meant telling things apart, and expertise really does begin with noticing differences that others miss.
Skilful or skillful?
Skilful is British, skillful American. Both come from skill plus full.