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)

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Examples of cuticle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cutting: Gently pushing back cuticles to make your nails look longer and neater = good. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "The Truth About Germs Hiding in Pedicure Tubs Will Ruin Your Day," 14 Mar. 2018 Since cold weather tends to make skin drier overall, proper cuticle hydration can make a big difference. — Tiffany Dodson, SELF, "4 Mistakes You’re Making When Wearing Gel Nail Polish," 25 Jan. 2019 The quickest way to determine the best shape for you is to mimic the shape of your cuticles. — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "The Easy Way to Figure Out Which Nail Shape Looks Best on You," 10 Jan. 2019 For all hair types, but especially those that are damaged, brittle, or bleached, maintaining the quality of the cuticle is key. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "The Best Blowdryers to Invest In, According to the Pros," 27 Nov. 2018 Even innocuous things like air, water, sunlight will affect the hair cuticle. — Marci Robin, Allure, "This Super-Long Ombré Hair Transformation Is a Feat of Color-Correction Magic," 13 Nov. 2018 New products are designed to harness the cuticle-opening power of high temperatures and deliver rich moisture. — Leah Melby Clinton, Marie Claire, "Color Your Hair? Four Things You Should Never Do in the Shower," 16 Nov. 2018 Jordan knew the proper cuticle care, Jason gave the best massages, and Jean Blanc knew just how to work that metal head scratcher. — Becca Kufrin, PEOPLE.com, "Bachelorette Becca Kufrin on That 'Embarrassing' Group Date — and Falling for One 'Standup Man'," 9 July 2018 Once the gel starts crumbling off, use a cuticle pusher to gently push the polish off of your nail bed (do not file or scrape). — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "How to Remove Gel Nail Polish Yourself," 28 Dec. 2017

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.