What does skirted mean?
“Skirted” is chiefly the past tense and past participle of “skirt,” a verb meaning to move along the edge of something or to go around it. For example, a path may skirt a lake, while a road skirts the base of a hill. Figuratively, the verb means to avoid dealing directly with a subject: a politician might skirt a controversial issue rather than answer questions about it. This usage can suggest caution, evasion, or an attempt to remain just outside the central controversy. “Skirted” can also function as an adjective when describing something with a surrounding strip or border, although this use is relatively uncommon. The word is recognized in both British and American English and retains the ordinary meanings of both the physical action and its figurative applications.
To move or pass along the edge or around the outside of something.
"The trail skirted the steepest part of the ridge."
Also used figuratively to mean avoiding a person, topic, or issue directly.
Having a skirt, border, or surrounding strip.
"The house stands in a broad, skirted meadow."
This adjective use is relatively uncommon and is more typical of literary or descriptive writing.
To skirt an issue is to walk around it rather than confront it head-on.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does skirted come from?
The form derives from “skirt,” whose oldest sense referred to a garment or hanging piece of fabric and whose later meanings extended to an outer or surrounding edge. The verbal use meaning “to go around the edge of” developed from the idea of passing alongside something’s boundary. Figurative senses involving avoidance followed by the broader sense of going around a topic without confronting it directly.
Related word forms
How skirted is actually used
In its figurative sense, “skirted” often suggests treating a subject cautiously or evasively. The adjectival use, as in “skirted fields,” is less common and generally literary.
Easily confused with skirted
“Skirted” relates to the edge of an area or the act of avoiding something, whereas “shirted” means wearing or having a shirt.