keratosis

noun

ker·​a·​to·​sis ˌker-ə-ˈtō-səs 

plural keratoses ˌker-ə-ˈtō-ˌsēz 

: an area of skin marked by overgrowth of horny tissue

keratotic

ˌker-ə-ˈtä-tik 

adjective

Examples of keratosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These mutations also increase the risk of ichthyosis vulgaris (dry, scaly skin) and keratosis pilaris (small, rough bumps).1 Environmental and Lifestyle Triggers Your symptoms may appear or worsen if you are exposed to certain triggers. —Casey Gallagher, Health, 3 Apr. 2025

Soothing is known to kick keratosis pilaris’s butt. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 20 Mar. 2025

Products with urea have been shown to help manage skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and keratosis. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 Mar. 2025

Actinic keratosis is a type of precancerous sun damage most common in older individuals. —Marisa Garshick, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Keratose, from Greek kerat-, kéras "horn" + German -ose -osis — more at kerato-

Note: The term was promulgated, if not introduced, by the German physician Hermann Lebert (1813-78) in Ueber Keratose, oder die durch Bildung von Hornsubstanz erzeugten Krankheiten und ihre Behandlung, Breslau, 1864.

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for keratosis

• acanthosis
• acidosis
• alkalosis
• amaurosis
• ankylosis
• asbestosis
• brucellosis
• cyanosis
• dermatosis
• diagnosis
• ecchymosis
• exostosis

Medical Definition

keratosis

noun

ker·​a·​to·​sis ˌker-ə-ˈtō-səs 

plural keratoses -ˌsēz 

1

: a disease of the skin marked by overgrowth of horny tissue

2

: an area of the skin affected with keratosis

keratotic

-ˈtät-ik 

adjective