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noun Uncommon

skit

skit
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Skit (noun) means a short comic performance, usually a few minutes long, with a single joke or situation at its centre — the kind of thing performed at a school assembly, on a variety show or in a social media video. Example: “The sixth form wrote a skit about the head teacher's parking space.”

noun
1
informal A short comic performance, usually a few minutes long, with a single joke or situation at its centre — the kind of thing performed at a school assembly, on a variety show or in a social media video.
"The sixth form wrote a skit about the head teacher's parking space."
"Half his channel is skits filmed in his kitchen."
"The students performed a skit poking fun at their teachers."
2
informal A short recorded comic interlude placed between the tracks of an album, especially in hip hop.
"The album has three skits, including a fake radio advert."
"The magazine ran a skit lampooning the new prime minister."

How to use skit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA short funny performance.

When to use it

Informal. Skit suggests something amateur, quick or homemade; a professional television writer is more likely to say sketch.

Memory tip

Use skit for something short and casual; use sketch for a scripted piece in a professional comedy show.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
sketch → stunt → schtick →
Common pairings
perform a skit a comedy skit a skit about film a skit
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Word forms

Plural
skits
Third person singular
skits
Past tense
skitted
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The sixth form wrote a _____ about the head teacher's parking space.

Etymology

Origin uncertain; possibly linked to Old Norse words for moving quickly, and connected to the English word "skittish".

Origin: Old Norse

Synonyms

View more →
sketch spoof routine send-up bit

Related words

while part number second act turn bit common

Rhymes for skit

kit
See all rhymes for skit →

Frequently asked questions

What does “skit” mean?
The word “skit” means a short, often comic performance, usually by amateurs. In plain terms, a short funny or mocking scene, often performed for laughs.
What is the difference between a skit and a sketch?
They describe the same thing at different levels of polish. A sketch is a written, rehearsed piece performed by comedians on a show like Saturday Night Live; a skit is looser and more amateur, the word you would use for a camp performance, a classroom piece or a phone-filmed video.
How do you use “skit” in a sentence?
Here is “skit” used in a sentence: “The students performed a skit poking fun at their teachers.”
How long is a skit?
Typically one to five minutes. A skit carries a single premise and ends as soon as the joke has landed, which is why it rarely needs more than a few minutes.
What part of speech is “skit”?
“Skit” is a noun.
Where does the word “skit” come from?
The word “skit” comes from Old Norse. Origin uncertain; possibly linked to Old Norse words for moving quickly, and connected to the English word "skittish".
Is “skit” a common word?
“Skit” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “skit” have?
“Skit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short, often comic performance, usually by amateurs.

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Words with old Norse origins

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