skis - Master This Word
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skis Word Meanings
- a person who skis
- someone who travels over snow on skis
- a participant in skiing.
skis Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
skis Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/skiː/
US
/ski/
skis Word Etymology
Root: ski = 'to slide'; Origin: Norwegian/Old Norse → English. Memory: Imagine gliding smoothly down a snowy hill on two long boards.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
Hands on the poles, I nudge my weight and push off, one small move that feels like waking the snow. The board beneath shifts under my weight as I lean, I turn my gaze ahead, and the wind tells me to stay present as the slope greets me. I adjust my stance, steady breath, steady grip, and I keep guiding the slide, letting speed teach me balance. Soon the burn in my legs says I am part of the snow, a person who moves across it on skis, a rider who travels without leaving the ground.
Real Context
Ski is a noun that can refer to a person who skis (a skier), the equipment used to glide on snow, or the sport itself. In everyday English you might hear about a skier, skis, or skiing, and you can use phrases like cross-country ski or downhill ski to specify the type of equipment. The three senses overlap: a single ski is one piece of equipment, skis is the pair; a person who skis is a skier, and skiing is the activity. The etymology notes that ski comes from Norwegian roots meaning to slide, and the memory cue about gliding smoothly down a snowy hill on two long boards helps recall the image. Pluralization matters in everyday talk.
Usage Reminders
- Ski is a noun; the plural form is skis. Use skier for a person. Skiing is the activity. A single ski refers to one board; two or more are skis. Do not confuse noun ski with the verb to ski. When talking about equipment, say a pair of skis.
Common Misconceptions
- Skis is always plural for a single board; people may say 'one ski' but typically use 'a ski' or 'a pair of skis'.
- Skiing and ski are the same thing in all contexts; in fact, skiing is the activity while ski is equipment or the sport in some phrases.
- A skier means a person; do not use skier to refer to the sport itself.
- The plural form skis is used only for equipment, not for people.
- To ski and ski are easy equivalents; in pronunciation, the noun and verb forms can stress differently.
Thinking Differences
Learners of English think of ski as a single flexible term that can cover equipment, a person, or the sport; many confuse skis with skiiers and confuse the plural with the singular. Clarify through examples and explicit noun usage.
Learning Tips
- Define each meaning clearly before using.
- Remember plural skis for equipment; 'ski' for one board.
- Skier is a person; skiing is the activity.
- Practice with go skiing and do some skiing phrases.
- Learn common collocations like downhill ski and cross-country skiing.
- Listen for the subtle noun-verb shift in 'to ski'.
Related Listening
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