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

That can include dry brushing, scalp oiling, applying a hair mask and picking one skin concern to target that day, whether dryness, keratosis pilaris or body acne. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026

This seals in hydration instead of letting product sit on top of dry skin, and the timing matters most for body serums, retinol lotions and keratosis pilaris treatments. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026

The formula is gentle enough for sensitive skin types and conditions like keratosis pilaris and dermatitis, leaving skin softer, brighter, and more even in under two minutes. — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026

One quick search for skin-tightening body lotions on TikTok will reveal plenty of creators raving about this product for its ability to gently heal keratosis pilaris, sun damage, and crepey skin. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 1 Mar. 2026

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