'skylike' is a compound formed from 'sky' + the suffix '-like'. 'sky' originates from Old Norse 'ský' meaning 'cloud', and the suffix '-like' comes from Old English 'līc' meaning 'having the form of' or 'body, form'.

'sky' entered Middle English from Old Norse 'ský' (originally meaning 'cloud') and later shifted to denote the heavens; the adjectival suffix '-like' developed from Old English 'līc' and became a productive way to form adjectives, combining to form modern 'skylike'.

Initially the elements referred to 'cloud' ('sky') and 'form' ('-like'); over time the compound's sense stabilized as 'resembling or characteristic of the sky' in modern English.