peel

1 of 4

verb

ˈpēl 

peeled; peeling; peels

transitive verb

1

: to strip off an outer layer of

peel an orange

2

: to remove by stripping

peel the label off the can

intransitive verb

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

3

: 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

peelable

ˈpē-lə-bəl 

adjective

peel

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: the skin or rind of a fruit or vegetable

banana/lemon/potato peels

2

: a thin layer of organic material that is embedded in a film of collodion and stripped from the surface of an object (such as a plant fossil) for microscopic study

3

: chemical peel

peel

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a usually long-handled spade-shaped instrument that is used chiefly by bakers for getting something (such as bread or pies) into or out of the oven

peel

4 of 4

noun (3)

: a medieval small massive fortified tower along the Scottish-English border

called also peel tower

Synonyms

Verb

• bark
• husk
• skin

Examples of peel in a Sentence

Verb

They peeled back the sheet to display the new sculpture.

She got sunburned and her back is peeling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Nailing down these basics might sound tedious, but trust us: These habits will save your future self (and sensitive skin) a whole lot of pain, peeling, and regret down the line. —Korin Miller, SELF, 7 July 2025

Keep your eyes peeled for beavers in the three lakes, moose grazing near the shoreline, and various bird species throughout the journey. —AFAR Media, 7 July 2025

Noun

The rum features caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and citrus peel. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

Directions Bring sugar, water, and lemon peel to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium, stirring often to dissolve the sugar. —Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 30 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English pelen, from Anglo-French peler, from Latin pilare to remove the hair from, from pilus hair

Noun (2)

Middle English pele, from Anglo-French, from Latin pala

Noun (3)

Middle English (Scots) pel, from Middle English, stockade, stake, from Anglo-French, stake, from Latin palus — more at pole

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1726, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing peel

• chemical peel
• orange peel
• peel off
• peel out
• slip on a banana skin/peel

Rhymes for peel

• beal
• chiel
• ciel
• creel
• deal
• diel
• eel
• feel
• feil
• heal
• heel
• keel

Kids Definition

peel

1 of 2 verb

ˈpē(ə)l 

1

: 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 verb

ˈpēl 

1

: to strip off an outer layer of

2

: to remove (as skin or a blemish) by stripping

intransitive verb

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 noun

: chemical peel

Geographical Definition

Peel

geographical name

ˈpēl 

river 425 miles (684 kilometers) long in northwestern Canada rising in western Yukon (territory) and flowing east and north into the Mackenzie River

Biographical Definition

Peel

biographical name

ˈpēl 

Sir Robert 1788–1850 English statesman