acne

noun

ac·​ne ˈak-nē 

: a disorder of the skin that is marked by blemishes (such as whiteheads, blackheads, or pustules) especially on the face, chest, and shoulders and is caused by inflammation of sebaceous glands and hair follicles

especially : a form found chiefly in adolescents

acned

ˈak-nēd 

adjective

an acned teenager

acned skin

Examples of acne in a Sentence

a teenager with bad acne

Recent Examples on the Web

Is the plague in this acne-scarred nightmare an even more horrifying version of puberty? —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2025

Use this face mask and sculpting wand daily to boost collagen, reduce wrinkles, fight acne, and lessen inflammation. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

It is also known to be gentle enough for sensitive and acne-prone skin types. —Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Called Indomo, the company has developed an at-home mode of delivery for the steroid injection, which currently can only be administered in-office by dermatologists and is known to rapidly treat cystic and inflammatory acne. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin acnē, acna, borrowed from Late Greek aknḗ "eruption on the face," manuscript variant of akmḗ, literally, "point" — more at acme

First Known Use

1743, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing acne

• acne rosacea
• anti-acne
• mask acne

Kids Definition

acne

noun

ac·​ne ˈak-nē 

: a disorder of the skin caused by inflammation of skin glands and hair follicles and marked by pimples especially on the face

Medical Definition

acne

noun

ac·​ne ˈak-nē 

: a disorder of the skin that is marked by blemishes (such as whiteheads, blackheads, or pustules) especially on the face, chest, and shoulders and is caused by inflammation of sebaceous glands and hair follicles

especially : a form found chiefly in adolescents : acne vulgaris

acned

-nēd 

adjective