Skid
/skɪd/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo slide uncontrollably sideways while moving.
/skɪd/
To slide uncontrollably on a surface.
The truck skidded on the gravel.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're on a slide, but instead of going straight, you start sliding sideways out of control. That's what it means to skid. For example, if you're driving and your tires lose grip on a wet road, your car might skid.
👶 For kids: When something slides sideways out of control, like a car on ice!
More Examples
I lost control and my car began to skid.
The car skidded after the brakes were suddenly applied.
How It's Used
"The car skidded on the icy road."
"The snowboarder skidded to a stop."
An instance of a vehicle sliding sideways uncontrollably on a road.
/skɪd/
An instance of uncontrolled sliding.
The driver struggled to control the skid.
💡 Simply: A skid is when something (usually a car) slides sideways out of control. Think of the marks the tires leave on the road after it happens. You can see the skid marks.
👶 For kids: When a car slides sideways without you wanting it to!
More Examples
The police examined the skid marks at the scene of the accident.
The car was unable to avoid the skid on the icy road.
How It's Used
"The driver regained control after the skid."
"Skid marks on the road indicated the car's path before the accident."
A timber or log used to support a load, such as for transportation.
/skɪd/
A timber or log.
The workers placed the lumber on skids before loading it.
💡 Simply: In the old days, they used big pieces of wood called skids to move logs around. They would put the logs on the skids to slide them.
👶 For kids: A big piece of wood that helps carry or slide something, like a log!
More Examples
The logs were stacked on skids to be moved.
They used skids to transport the heavy equipment.
How It's Used
"The logs were loaded onto skids for transport."
From Middle English "skidden," probably of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse "skíða," meaning "to move quickly."
The word "skid" has been used since the 15th century, initially referring to the act of sliding or gliding.
Memory tip
Think of a car slipping on ice: it skids!