What is the Difference Between ‘Ski’ and ‘Skiing’?

by Simon Knott | Updated: October 27th, 2022 |  Skiing Articles

Ever wondered what these two similar words mean? Are they the same or do they have different meanings?

A ski is a noun with the definition of one of a pair of long, slender runners made of wood, plastic, or metal used in gliding over snow. While skiing is the present participle of the verb ‘to ski’. Skiing is the activity of putting on a pair of skiers and skiing downhill over the snow.

skier in brown

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SKI

Lots of Skis resting on a rack

Ski - a ski is a device, normally used in pairs, which are connected by ski boots to the skier’s feet.

Dictionary definition: one of a pair of long, slender runners made of wood, plastic, or metal used in gliding over snow. By pushing off over snow the ski glides over the snow surface creating forward motion. Grammatically a ski is a noun. Derivation: The word ski comes from the Old Norse word skíð, which meant ‘stick of wood’. The word slowly turned into ‘ski’ in modern Norwegian at the end of 19th century. English, French, and German languages then adopted the word but with different pronunciations.

Skis is plural for ski - meaning one or more skis - (such as a pair) or the act of skiing.

Phrase examples:

  • "I fell over and my ski came off."
  • "Jessica loved her new pair of skis."
  • "George went to the mountains to ski."

SKIING

Skiing - skiing is the activity of putting on a pair of skis and skiing downhill over the snow. Dictionary definition: the act or sport of gliding on skis. Grammatically skiing is the present participle of the verb to ski.

Phrase examples:

  • "Jessica loved skiing with her family."
  • "George went skiing yesterday."
The act of Skiing

What is the Origin of the Word Ski?

Ski is originally a Norwegian word that has become a part of the English language over time.