What does skivvy mean?
Skivvy is an informal British word with several unrelated-looking uses. As a noun, it denotes a skirt, particularly a woman's skirt, and can sound affectionate, dismissive, or deliberately old-fashioned depending on context. As a verb, it can mean to skim a liquid or remove material floating on its surface, such as cream from milk. A third, less common verb sense means to steal or take something without permission. These meanings make skivvy unusually versatile for such a short word. Although it appears in British English and remains most associated with that variety, it is not restricted to the United Kingdom. The noun is commonly pluralized as skivvies. Outside examples that explicitly signal informality, skivvy may sound more characteristic of British comedy, fiction, or dialogue than of formal writing.
An informal British term for a skirt, especially a woman's skirt.
"The dancer wore a plain white skivvy."
Chiefly British and informal; often used in dialogue, narrative, or humorous contexts.
To skim or remove material floating on the surface of a liquid.
"He skivvied the scum from the jam."
Chiefly British and relatively uncommon in modern usage.
To steal something.
"Someone skivvied her purse while she was distracted."
An informal British usage, often implying casual or petty theft.
The regular plural is skivvies; in the singular, the final y changes to ies.
"She packed two skivvies for the holiday."
A piece of clothing, a way to skim a liquid, and even theft all share the delightfully informal British word skivvy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does skivvy come from?
The ultimate origin of skivvy is uncertain. It developed in British English and was used for a skirt before acquiring the verb senses associated with skimming and stealing, with the theft sense later acquiring a broader, figurative meaning.
Related word forms
How skivvy is actually used
The word is informal and distinctly British. Its noun sense is especially associated with everyday or colloquial speech, while its senses meaning to skim and to steal are also chiefly British and comparatively uncommon.