rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryskidUncontrolled sliding
noun / verb

skid

SKID/skɪd/

An uncontrolled sliding movement.

A compact car skids sideways on a patch of icy road.

A compact car skids sideways on a small patch of icy road, its body angled across two curving tire tracks that clearly show its uncontrolled slide.
Etymology
skidEnglishblock used to stop a wheel turning

A skid was a wooden block used to stop a wheel turning. The verb shifted from applying that block to describing a wheel sliding without rotating, then slipping sideways.

In context

HowlRound Theatre Commons80:52
hank stops the truck abruptly the tires skid on loose gravel
Highland Center, Indiana by John Greiner Ferris—Interim Writers—Boston—Sun, Feb 17, 2013

More examples

  • The driver steers carefully to bring the skid under control.
  • My bike skidded on loose gravel near the corner.
  • The team ends its losing skid with a close victory.

Forms

skid · skids · skidded · skidding

Similar words

slide
Can describe controlled movement, unlike an uncontrolled skid.
slip
Often emphasizes briefly losing traction rather than sliding some distance.