Words / B1

SKURT-ing/ˈskɜːtɪŋ/

Skirting (often skirting board) is the narrow board along the bottom of a UK wall, covering the join with the floor. US baseboard. It is not a skirt and not skirting round a problem (avoiding it) except as a different verb. Painters tape the skirting. Often uncountable as the feature; countable as lengths.

Meaning

The narrow board along the bottom of a wall where it meets the floor (UK; also skirting board).

Examples

• “The cat scratched the skirting in the hall again.”
• “Vacuum along the skirting; dust collects there behind the sofa.”
• “The new laminate is a bit short, so you can see a gap above the skirting.”

Good to know

skirting / a skirting board (UK). US: a baseboard. Contrast: a dado rail (higher on the wall).

Near in meaning

skirting board, baseboard

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