skid

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "skid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning to lose control, or to slide across a surface. For example, "The car skidded on the icy road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

On our two-hour drive, we passed (not to mention countless skid marks, some ending alarmingly at the foot of the divider) a dozen cars with flat or blown-out tyres – proof that Ajay's fears were well-founded.

The Guardian - Travel

They never sustained much of an offensive attack but still managed to snap a two-game skid.

The Guardian - Sport

Storey said investigators showed the car had been travelling at more than 61mph on the 30mph single carriageway road when he began to brake, got into a skid and lost control.

The Guardian

This song truly was built for this moment, in the same way as a crane is built to move heavy things and a toilet brush is built to clean skid marks.

The Guardian - Music

On a continent that so reliably embarrasses optimism, some regard South Africa's current troubles as the first skid down the African slope to economic collapse, ethnic warfare, lawlessness and corruption.

The Economist

Poor infrastructure doesn't help: Many accidents occur on isolated dirt or gravel air fields, where it's easy for a plane to skid, especially if it's icy or muddy, or on lakes, where it's hard for seaplanes to land unless the water is flat.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It could be used to set up ad hoc networks to pass data between cars in order to, for example, signal icy spots on the road (many cars can detect ice as part of their skid-control systems) or co-ordinate "platoons"—groups of vehicles travelling closely together under automatic control.

The Economist

He eventually settled into a skid-row hotel near the National Maritime Union hiring hall, where he had applied for work as a merchant seaman.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The city's theatre life once centred there (1860 75), but by the 1880s the Bowery had degenerated into a skid-row area of cheap cafés, flophouses, saloons, dance halls, and pawnshops, patronized by ne'er-do-wells and derelicts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I accept that my skid-mark of an ex has taken all my money," one might chant inwardly, feeling lighter and at one with the bubbling of the cosmos.

Independent

The group made its remarks after the release of a provincial report into the murder and disappearance of mostly aboriginal women in skid-row neighbourhoods of Vancouver from 1997 to 2002.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about vehicles, use "skid" to vividly describe a loss of control due to braking or slippery conditions. This adds a sense of immediacy and danger to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "skid" when a general term like "slide" is more appropriate. "Skid" implies a specific type of uncontrolled movement, typically associated with vehicles or objects losing traction.

Linguistic Context

The word "skid" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it describes an uncontrolled slide or a supporting structure. As a verb, it means to slide uncontrollably or to move something using skids. Ludwig AI explains that it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "skid" is a versatile term used as both a noun and a verb, commonly referring to a loss of control or a sliding movement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its frequency is high, appearing often in news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources. While primarily neutral in tone, it can add vivid detail to descriptions, especially when discussing vehicles or unstable conditions. Remember to use "skid" when you specifically want to highlight an uncontrolled slide, distinguishing it from more general terms like "slip" or "slide".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose control

Highlights the loss of управление during the event.

lose traction

Focuses on the loss of grip that leads to a skid.

go into a slide

Describes the action of entering a sliding state.

slide uncontrollably

Emphasizes the lack of control during the sliding motion.

wheel slip

Refers specifically to the slippage of a wheel.

slip and slide

Highlights the combined actions of slipping and sliding.

slide sideways

Specifies the direction of the slide.

veer off course

Indicates a deviation from the intended path.

move erratically

Describes irregular and unpredictable movement.

become unstable

Indicates a loss of stability.

FAQs

How can I use "skid" in a sentence?

You can use "skid" to describe a vehicle losing control, as in "The car began to "lose traction" and "skid" on the ice."

What's a good alternative to the word "skid"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "skid" include "slip", "slide", or "lose control".

What does it mean when a car "skids"?

When a car "skids", it means it has "lost traction" and is sliding uncontrollably, often due to braking too hard or encountering slippery road conditions.

Is "skid" only used in reference to vehicles?

While commonly used in the context of vehicles, "skid" can also refer to any object sliding uncontrollably. For example, "The machinery was placed on "skids" to "skid" it out of the back door".