Standard Lemma guide

skid

noun · verb · 27 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈskɪd/
  • [ˈskɪd]
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪd
  • CMU ARPABET: S K IH1 D Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An out-of-control sliding motion as would result from applying the brakes too hard in a car or other vehicle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: wheelslide, sideslip
  • Just before hitting the guardrail the driver regained control and pulled out of the skid.
  • The brakes grabbed and the car went into a skid.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: skidding, wheelslide, sideslip

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A shoe or clog, as of iron, attached to a chain, and placed under the wheel of a wagon to prevent its turning when descending a steep hill.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: drag, skidpan

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A hook attached to a chain, used for the same purpose.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A piece of timber or other material used as a support, or to receive pressure.

A runner of a sled.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • In the hours before daylight he sharpened the skids and tightened the lashings to prepare for the long dogsled journey.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

A piece of timber or other material used as a support, or to receive pressure.

A ski-shaped runner or supporting surface as found on a helicopter or other aircraft in place of wheels.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Due to frequent arctic travel, the plane was equipped with long skids for snow and ice landings.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

A piece of timber or other material used as a support, or to receive pressure.

A basic platform for the storage and transport of goods, machinery or equipment, later developed into the pallet.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He unloaded six skids of boxes from the truck.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

A piece of timber or other material used as a support, or to receive pressure.

A pallet.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

noun

Meaning 8

A piece of timber or other material used as a support, or to receive pressure.

One of a pair of horizontal rails or timbers for supporting anything, such as a boat or barrel.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

noun

Meaning 9

A banked sideslip where the aircraft's nose is yawed towards the low wing, often due to excessive rudder input.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: aeronautics, aerospace, aviation, business, engineering, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

noun

Meaning 10

A losing streak.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

Examples

  • The team snapped a 3-game skid with a win over their biggest rival.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

11

noun

Meaning 11

A stepchild.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Internet

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

12

noun

Meaning 12

A script kiddie.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Internet

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

13

noun

Meaning 13

A sovereign (old coin).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, obsolete, slang

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

14

verb

Meaning 14

(of a wheel, sled runner, or vehicle tracks) To slide along the ground, without the rotary motion that wheels or tracks would normally have.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

15

verb

Meaning 15

To slide in an uncontrolled manner as in a car with the brakes applied too hard, the wheels sliding with limited spinning.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • They skidded around the corner and accelerated up the street.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

16

verb

Meaning 16

To operate an aircraft in a banked sideslip with the nose yawed towards the low wing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive, transitive

Topics: aeronautics, aerospace, aviation, business, engineering, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

Examples

  • Don't use excessive rudder when turning, especially at low airspeed, as this causes your plane to skid through the turn, which can cause you to very rapidly enter a spin if the inner wing stalls.
  • Because of the jammed ailerons, the pilot had to use careful rudder inputs to skid his plane in order to turn it so he could get lined up with the runway.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

17

verb

Meaning 17

To protect or support with a skid or skids.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

18

verb

Meaning 18

To cause to move on skids.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

19

verb

Meaning 19

To check or halt (wagon wheels, etc.) with a skid.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

20

verb

Meaning 20

To steal or copy, especially computer code.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Internet

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

21

noun

Meaning 21

an unexpected slide

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: slip, sideslip

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: slide, glide, coast

22

noun

Meaning 22

a restraint provided when the brake linings are moved hydraulically against the brake drum to retard the wheel's rotation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: brake shoe, shoe

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: restraint, constraint

23

noun

Meaning 23

one of a pair of planks used to make a track for rolling or sliding objects

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: board, plank

24

verb

Meaning 24

move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the wheels skidded against the sidewalk

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: slip, slue, slew, slide

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: glide

Narrower terms: submarine, skid, side-slip

25

verb

Meaning 25

slide without control

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the car skidded in the curve on the wet road

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: skid, slip, slue, slew, slide

26

verb

Meaning 26

apply a brake or skid to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: brake

27

verb

Meaning 27

elevate onto skids

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: raise, lift, elevate, get up, bring up

History

Etymology

From Middle English *skid, from Old Norse skíð (“a billet of wood, a beam or plank on which something rests”), from Proto-Germanic *skīdą (“log, clapboard”), from Proto-Indo-European *skey-t-, *skey- (“to split, divide, separate”). Cognate with English shide, from Middle English schyd, schyde, schide (“plank, beam”), German Scheit (“piece of wood, log”). Doublet of ski.

Shortening of stepkid.

Shortened from script kiddie, probably via skiddie.

Across languages

Translations

78 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: занасяне (zanasjane) — out of control sliding motion
  • Bulgarian: буксуване (buksuvane) — out of control sliding motion
  • Catalan: derrapatge — out of control sliding motion
  • Catalan: derrapada — out of control sliding motion
  • Catalan: patinada — out of control sliding motion
  • Czech: smyk — out of control sliding motion
  • Dutch: slip — out of control sliding motion
  • Finnish: luisu — out of control sliding motion
  • Finnish: liirto — out of control sliding motion
  • Finnish: liuku — out of control sliding motion
  • Finnish: luisto — out of control sliding motion
  • French: dérapage — out of control sliding motion
  • German: Schleudern — out of control sliding motion
  • Greek: ολίσθηση (olísthisi) — out of control sliding motion
  • Greek: γλίστρημα (glístrima) — out of control sliding motion
  • Italian: derapata — out of control sliding motion
  • Persian: بکسوات (boksovât) — out of control sliding motion
  • Portuguese: derrapagem — out of control sliding motion
  • Russian: зано́с (zanós) — out of control sliding motion
  • Russian: юз (juz) — out of control sliding motion
  • Russian: скольже́ние (skolʹžénije) — out of control sliding motion
  • Russian: боково́е скольже́ние (bokovóje skolʹžénije) — out of control sliding motion
  • Spanish: derrape — out of control sliding motion
  • Spanish: patinazo — out of control sliding motion
  • Spanish: resbalón — out of control sliding motion
  • Spanish: derrapada — out of control sliding motion
  • Spanish: desliz — out of control sliding motion
  • Swedish: sladd — out of control sliding motion
  • Bulgarian: плаз (plaz) — runner of a sled
  • Finnish: jalas — runner of a sled
  • German: Kufe — runner of a sled
  • Māori: panunu — runner of a sled
  • Māori: neke — runner of a sled
  • Russian: по́лоз (póloz) — runner of a sled
  • Swedish: mede — runner of a sled
  • Czech: ližina — ski shaped runner or supporting surface as found on an aircraft
  • Finnish: jalas — ski shaped runner or supporting surface as found on an aircraft
  • Finnish: suksi — ski shaped runner or supporting surface as found on an aircraft
  • German: Kufe — ski shaped runner or supporting surface as found on an aircraft
  • Māori: neke — ski shaped runner or supporting surface as found on an aircraft
  • Russian: по́лоз (póloz) — ski shaped runner or supporting surface as found on an aircraft
  • Russian: сала́зки (salázki) — ski shaped runner or supporting surface as found on an aircraft
  • Russian: рельс (relʹs) — ski shaped runner or supporting surface as found on an aircraft
  • Spanish: patín de aterrizaje — ski shaped runner or supporting surface as found on an aircraft
  • Finnish: lava — basic form of platform
  • Spanish: tarima — basic form of platform
  • Bulgarian: занасям се (zanasjam se) — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Catalan: derrapar — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Catalan: lliscar — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Catalan: patinar — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Czech: dostat smyk — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Czech: smýkat — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Dutch: slippen — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Finnish: luisua — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Finnish: liirtää — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Finnish: liirata — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Finnish: liukua — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Finnish: sutia — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • French: déraper — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Galician: derrapar — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • German: (weg-)rutschen — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • German: schleudern — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Greek: ολισθαίνω (olisthaíno) — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Greek: γλιστρώ (glistró) — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Italian: derapare — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Italian: sbandare — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Māori: paheke — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Māori: mania — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Persian: شکوخیدن (šekuxidan) — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Portuguese: derrapar — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Russian: скользи́ть (skolʹzítʹ) — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Serbo-Croatian: proklizati — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Spanish: resbalar — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Spanish: patinar — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Spanish: derrapar — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Spanish: culear — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Spanish: deslizarse — to slide in an uncontrolled manner
  • Swedish: slira — to slide in an uncontrolled manner