What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
skim
Example
I usually skim through the news headlines in the morning. [skim: verb]
Example
The bird skimmed over the water's surface, looking for fish. [skimmed: past tense]
glance
Example
I took a quick glance at my watch to see the time. [glance: noun]
Example
She glanced at the mirror as she walked by. [glanced: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Glance is more commonly used than skim in everyday language. Glance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while skim is less common and refers to more specific actions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between skim and glance?
Both skim and glance are relatively informal words that can be used in casual or everyday conversations. However, skim may be slightly more formal when used in academic or professional contexts to describe a thorough reading of a text.
