cuticle

noun cu·ti·cle \ ˈkyü-ti-kəl \

Definition of cuticle

1 : an outer covering layer: such as

a : an external envelope (as of an insect) secreted usually by epidermal cells

b : the outermost layer of animal integument composed of epidermis

c : a thin continuous fatty or waxy film on the external surface of many higher plants that consists chiefly of cutin

d : the outermost membranous layer of a hair consisting of overlapping scales of epithelial cells

2 : dead or horny epidermis (such as that surrounding the base and sides of a fingernail)

—

cuticular

play \kyu̇-ˈti-kyə-lər\ adjective

See cuticle defined for English-language learners

See cuticle defined for kids

Recent Examples of cuticle from the Web

What if so many of these physical details—the precise silicone mold, the perfect eyelashes and cuticles—were a distraction from the true nature of sonzai-kan?

— alex mar, WIRED, "Are We Ready for Intimacy With Androids?," 17 Oct. 2017
Before the spinner, my ritual for coping with being nervous was peeling and picking at my cuticles, a painful but bizarrely comforting habit.

— elizabeth broadbent, Washington Post, "I’m a 36-year-old woman with four fidget spinners. I need them.," 5 Nov. 2017
As its spores ripen, the puffball’s outer skin, or cuticle, develops one or two small holes called ostioles through which millions of dry spores escape at the smallest disturbance.

— dave taft, New York Times, "Puff, the Magic Mushroom," 1 Nov. 2017
The best way to remove any extra polish that gets on your cuticles is by dipping a small paint brush in nail polish remover.

— elizabeth denton, Seventeen, "15 Nail Art Hacks That Will Seriously Upgrade Your Mani," 20 Oct. 2017
The hands have veins and sunspots and the faint wrinkles that gather around the wrists; the nails have cuticles, pale and precise.

— alex mar, WIRED, "Are We Ready for Intimacy With Androids?," 17 Oct. 2017
Create a horizontal line across your nail a quarter of an inch up from your cuticle.

— carly cardellino, Cosmopolitan, "7 Gorgeous Nail Art Looks To Wear This Holiday," 16 Oct. 2017
But at the spring 2017 Rodarte show, cuticles were the highlight of the nail look.

— jenna rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Glitter Cuticles Had a Moment At Rodarte," 13 Sep. 2016
They're designed to be worn as hand pieces, nail or cuticle art, or as really anywhere else on your face and body, and last 2-3 days.

— elizabeth denton, Seventeen, "These Gorge, White Temporary Tattoos Will Turn You Into a ~Snow Princess~ This Winter," 10 Nov. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cuticle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cuticle

Latin cuticula, diminutive of cutis skin — more at hide

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1615

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

CUTICLE Defined for English Language Learners

cuticle

noun

Definition of cuticle for English Language Learners

: the layer of dead or hard skin around the base of a fingernail or toenail

CUTICLE Defined for Kids

cuticle

noun cu·ti·cle \ ˈkyü-ti-kəl \

Definition of cuticle for Students

1 : an outer layer (as of skin or a leaf) often produced by the cells beneath

2 : a dead or hard layer of skin especially around a fingernail

Medical Dictionary

cuticle

noun cu·ti·cle \ ˈkyüt-i-kəl \

medical Definition of cuticle

1 : an outer covering layer: as

a : the outermost layer of integument composed of epidermis

b : the outermost membranous layer of a hair consisting of cornified epithelial cells

2 : dead or horny epidermis (as that surrounding the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail)

—

cuticular

play \kyu̇-ˈtik-yə-lər\ adjective

Learn More about cuticle

Spanish Central: Translation of cuticle Nglish: Translation of cuticle for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cuticle

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cuticle

Definition of cuticle

cuticular

Recent Examples of cuticle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cuticle

CUTICLE Defined for English Language Learners

cuticle

Definition of cuticle for English Language Learners

CUTICLE Defined for Kids

cuticle

Definition of cuticle for Students

Medical Dictionary

cuticle

medical Definition of cuticle

cuticular

Learn More about cuticle

Seen and Heard

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