acne

noun

ac·​ne ˈak-nē 

: a disorder of the skin caused by inflammation of the skin glands and hair follicles

specifically : a form found chiefly in adolescents and marked by pimples especially on the face

acned

ˈak-nēd 

adjective

Examples of acne in a Sentence

a teenager with bad acne

Recent Examples on the Web

To try it for acne, apply a thin layer of 5 percent tea tree oil to the affected area twice daily and leave it on for 20 minutes. —Trisha Pasricha, Washington Post, 15 July 2024

Some work really well for acne and are formulated for sensitivities, distress, and dryness. —Marnie Goodfriend, Flow Space, 9 July 2024

Certain medications such as oral accutane and tetracycline, both used to treat acne, can increase a person’s sun sensitivity, increasing their risk for sunburns and rashes. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 8 July 2024

Use it in the bath or shower to help reduce acne, ingrown hairs, stretch marks, keratosis pilaris, and scarring to boost circulation. —Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2024

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