noun A1 Beginner Common

skirt

skurt

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Skirt (noun) means a piece of clothing that hangs from the waist, covering the lower body. Example: “The dancer's skirt swirled as she turned across the stage.”

noun

A piece of clothing that hangs from the waist, covering the lower body.

"The dancer's skirt swirled as she turned across the stage."

"She wore a long denim skirt to the interview."

"He bought his daughter a pleated skirt for the school uniform."

verb

To go around the edge of something rather than through the middle.

"Walkers skirted the muddy puddle by stepping onto the grass."

"The road skirts the edge of the forest."

"They skirted the city to avoid the traffic."

To avoid dealing with something directly.

"He skirted the issue by changing the subject."

"Try not to skirt the problem and talk to her honestly."

"The politician skirted the question about tax increases."

How to use skirt

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe clothing item worn from the waist down, or — as a verb — to go around the edge of something instead of facing it directly.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the clothing noun with the verb sense meaning "avoid"; both are common but mean very different things ("wearing a skirt" vs. "skirting the issue").

Common pairings

skirt the issue skirt around a problem pencil skirt

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: skirts
Third person singular: skirts
Past tense: skirted

Test yourself on “skirt” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The dancer's _____ swirled as she turned across the stage.

Etymology

From Old Norse skyrta, a doublet of the English word "shirt" — both ultimately meant a piece of cloth worn on the body, before splitting into separate garments in meaning.

Origin: Old Norse

Synonyms

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sidestep bypass circumvent dodge evade edge bird doll chick dame annulus wench

Antonyms

enter penetrate

Related words

girl woman lady avoid enter ring edge bird

Rhymes for skirt

dirt Wirt shirt flirt

See all rhymes for skirt →

Frequently asked questions

What does “skirt” mean?

The word “skirt” means a piece of clothing that hangs from the waist, covering the lower body. In plain terms, the clothing item worn from the waist down, or — as a verb — to go around the edge of something instead of facing it directly.

How do you pronounce “skirt”?

“Skirt” is pronounced skurt (/skɚt/ in IPA).

How do you use “skirt” in a sentence?

Here is “skirt” used in a sentence: “She wore a long denim skirt to the interview.”

What part of speech is “skirt”?

Depending on how it is used, “skirt” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “skirt” come from?

The word “skirt” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse skyrta, a doublet of the English word "shirt" — both ultimately meant a piece of cloth worn on the body, before splitting into separate garments in meaning.

Is “skirt” a common word?

“Skirt” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “skirt” have?

“Skirt” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of clothing that hangs from the waist, covering the lower body.

What is the difference between a skirt and a dress?

A skirt is a separate garment worn from the waist down, covering the lower body. A dress is a single garment that covers both the upper and lower body in one piece, so a skirt is only the bottom half.

What is the difference between 'skirt around' and 'avoid'?

To 'skirt around' something means to go around its edge or deal with it only indirectly, while still staying near it. 'Avoid' is broader and means to keep away from something entirely, without necessarily circling near it.

What is the difference between skirt and circumvent?

To skirt something is to pass around its edge or dodge it, often to avoid difficulty. To circumvent means to cleverly find a way around an obstacle or rule; both can mean avoiding, but 'circumvent' implies more deliberate strategy.

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