: 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
Examples of acne in a Sentence
a teenager with bad acne
Recent Examples on the Web
Early intervention prevents acne scarring, which can be permanent.
—
Alex Vance, Parents, 18 Aug. 2025
While it has been used in skincare for centuries (from traditional medicine to modern acne treatments and sunscreens), bisabolol largely flew under the radar until the recent shift toward natural, barrier-repairing ingredients put it in the spotlight.
—Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Fungal acne treatment and prevention Fungal acne requires antifungal treatments, so typical treatments that are used for bacterial acne will not work — in fact, some can make fungal acne worse.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
However, these blemishes are often a skin condition other than acne, such as folliculitis, boils, contact dermatitis, or keratosis pilaris.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acne
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Alex Vance, Parents, 18 Aug. 2025
While it has been used in skincare for centuries (from traditional medicine to modern acne treatments and sunscreens), bisabolol largely flew under the radar until the recent shift toward natural, barrier-repairing ingredients put it in the spotlight.
—Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Fungal acne treatment and prevention Fungal acne requires antifungal treatments, so typical treatments that are used for bacterial acne will not work — in fact, some can make fungal acne worse.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
However, these blemishes are often a skin condition other than acne, such as folliculitis, boils, contact dermatitis, or keratosis pilaris.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acne
Cite this Entry
“Acne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acne. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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