keratosis

noun

ker·​a·​to·​sis ˌker-ə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce keratosis (audio)
plural keratoses ˌker-ə-ˈtō-ˌsēz How to pronounce keratosis (audio)
: an area of skin marked by overgrowth of horny tissue
keratotic adjective

Examples of keratosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The brand’s resulting body care products, High Roller and Slather, both work to exfoliate and smooth the skin, targeting ingrown hairs and keratosis pilaris (among other texture issues) respectively with ingredients like glycolic acid, willow bark extract, and retinol. Hannah Baxter, Allure, 5 Mar. 2024 This belly oil is also handy for a common skin condition called keratosis pilaris (or KP for short), a.k.a. Brigitt Earley, Allure, 28 Feb. 2024 The scrub visibly decreased our keratosis pilaris after a few weeks. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 This combination of ingredients makes the cleanser intensive enough to address keratosis pilaris and various skincare concerns on your body’s thicker skin surfaces. Alena Hall, Verywell Health, 5 Feb. 2024 Karen Young couldn’t seem to find body care products that worked for her eczema and keratosis pilaris-prone skin. Akili King, Essence, 14 Nov. 2023 Bumpy, rough texture is no match for the formula that leaves skin silky smooth, even for those who suffer from keratosis pilaris. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 How to treat keratosis pilaris: Use a cleansing brush to gently speed up the exfoliation process, and a moisturizer with exfoliating lactic or salicylic acid (since dry skin tends to make the condition worse). Daley Quinn, Women's Health, 8 Sep. 2023 Exfoliating and moisturizing is the most effective treatment for keratosis pilaris. Lacey Muinos, Health, 18 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'keratosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of keratosis was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near keratosis

Cite this Entry

“Keratosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keratosis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

keratosis

noun
ker·​a·​to·​sis ˌker-ə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce keratosis (audio)
plural keratoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce keratosis (audio)
1
: a disease of the skin marked by overgrowth of horny tissue
2
: an area of the skin affected with keratosis
keratotic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on keratosis

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