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

Our heroine, Allie (Monica Barbaro), is a singer who records commercial jingles for products that treat acne and vaginal dryness (presumably less of a problem, given the current non-state of affairs). — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

And for people dealing with conditions like acne, eczema or signs of aging, diet alone may not address the underlying issue. — Olivia Laborde, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

But as Scientific American has previously reported, taking testosterone comes with potential risks, including a decline in fertility, smaller testicles, acne, and more. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026

The ingredient works by binding to retinoic acid in the skin, thus boosting cell turnover, stimulating collagen production, and improving things like acne, fine lines, and uneven texture. — Kelsey Stewart, Allure, 18 Aug. 2026

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