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Definition of skimmia
skimmia
/ˈskɪm.i.ə/
skim · mi · a
Plural:skimmias
skimmia Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
An evergreen shrub belonging to the rue family (Rutaceae), native to warm temperate regions of Asia, and widely cultivated in gardens for its glossy foliage, dense clusters of fragrant flowers, and bright red winter berries.
Example
"To brighten up the shaded corners of the patio, she planted a pair of Japanese skimmias in large terracotta pots."
• Rhymes for skimmia
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from New Latin Skimmia, which was adapted from the Japanese name 'shikimi' (specifically 'miyama-shikimi' for Skimmia japonica), a plant referenced by Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg in the late 18th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Skimmia. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/skimmia