leathery

adjective

leath·​ery ˈle-t͟hə-rē 

ˈlet͟h-rē

: resembling, characteristic of, or suggestive of leather

a leathery face

a leathery aroma

Synonyms of leathery

• tough
• brittle
• chewy

Examples of leathery in a Sentence

the old farmer's leathery, brown skin

the leathery meat served in the cafeteria drove many of us to start bringing our own lunches

Recent Examples on the Web

From there, the leathery red skin is easily peeled away (or popped out by squeezing from the opposite end) to reveal the fleshy white, glossy fruit that feels sort of like a grape without the peel. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2026

Most bats have soft fur, large ears, leathery wings stretched over long finger bones, and tiny, sharp teeth designed for catching insects or feeding on nectar and fruit. — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2026

The affected tissue has a dark, leathery appearance and may be colonized by a bacteria giving it a black color. — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

The flowers have thick, leathery petals that give the plant its common name and are visited by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leathery

• feathery

Kids Definition

leathery

adjective

leath·​ery ˈlet͟h-(ə-)rē 

: resembling leather in appearance or quality : tough

a leathery face

leathery leaves