having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude; "adept in handicrafts"; "an adept juggler"; "an expert job"; "a good mechanic"; "a practiced marksman"; "a proficient engineer"; "a lesser-known but no less skillful composer"; "the effect was achieved by skillful retouching"
a person engaged in one of the learned professions
an athlete who plays for pay
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood; "the professional man or woman possesses distinctive qualifications"; "began her professional career after the Olympics"; "professional theater"; "professional football"; "a professional cook"; "professional actors and athletes"
characteristic of or befitting a profession or one engaged in a profession; "professional conduct"; "professional ethics"; "a thoroughly professional performance"
engaged in by members of a profession; "professional occupations include medicine and the law and teaching"
of or relating to a profession; "we need professional advice"; "professional training"; "professional equipment for his new office"
of or relating to or suitable as a profession; "professional organizations"; "a professional field such as law"
a thin layer covering the surface of a liquid; "there was a thin skim of oil on the water"
used of milk and milk products from which the cream has been removed; "yogurt made with skim milk"; "she can drink skimmed milk but should avoid butter"
read superficially
remove from the surface; "skim cream from the surface of milk"
coat (a liquid) with a layer
cause to skip over a surface; "Skip a stone across the pond"