peeled; peeling; peels
1
: to strip off an outer layer of
peel an orange
2
: to remove by stripping
peel the label off the can
1
a
: to come off in sheets or scales
The paint is peeling.
b
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
His face is peeling.
2
: to take off one's clothes
It got hotter … you had to peel to get relief.—
L. M. Uris
L. M. Uris3
: to break away from a group or formation
—often used with off
Like corals, the branches of sponges can peel off and reestablish themselves as new colonies.—Natural History
Natural HistoryExamples of peel in a Sentence
They peeled back the sheet to display the new sculpture.
She got sunburned and her back is peeling.
Recent Examples on the Web
Burden of Justice peels back the polished surface of Stockholm’s elite law firms to reveal a world where desperation, ambition, and moral compromise simmer just beneath the surface.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 June 2026
For the last two mornings, both women had peeled themselves out of their sleeping bags before sunrise.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Get medium-sized deveined and peeled raw shrimp for this recipe.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Once a food is cut, peeled or cooked, it should be refrigerated within two hours, if not used right away.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for peel
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Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 June 2026
For the last two mornings, both women had peeled themselves out of their sleeping bags before sunrise.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Get medium-sized deveined and peeled raw shrimp for this recipe.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Once a food is cut, peeled or cooked, it should be refrigerated within two hours, if not used right away.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for peel
Cite this Entry
“Peel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peel. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
peel
1 of 2 verb1
: to strip off an outer layer of
peel an apple
2
: to strip or tear off
peeled off their coats
3
a
: to come off in strips or patches
the paint is peeling
b
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
your face is peeling
peeler
noun
peel
2 of 2 noun
: an outer covering and especially the skin or rind of a fruit
Medical Definition
peel
1 of 2 transitive verb1
: to strip off an outer layer of
2
: to remove (as skin or a blemish) by stripping
1
: to come off in sheets or scales
sunburned skin peels
2
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
his face is peeling
peel
2 of 2 nounLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
