scaly

adjective

ˈskā-lē 

scalier; scaliest

1

a

: covered with, composed of, or rich in scale or scales

b

: flaky

2

: of or relating to scaly animals

3

: despicable, poor

a regular scaly old shop

—Charles Dickens

4

: infested with scale insects

scaly fruit

scaliness noun

Synonyms

• scaled
• squamous

Examples of scaly in a Sentence

His skin was dry and scaly.

the snake's scaly skin was dry to the touch

Recent Examples on the Web

In some cases, the rash may become scaly and thick. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 14 Aug. 2025

Even on those occasions when the fish deign to bite, the moment exists within a larger fantasy that this is somehow a Special Thing, and not just a scaly animal on the end of some string. —AFAR Media, 7 Aug. 2025

Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus: An autoimmune condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin, especially on the scalp, face, and ears. —Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 29 July 2025

Luckily Leonardo, Raphael, Michaelangelo and Donatello are on the case, high-tailing it to Japan to confront their fiercest foe yet: a certain hundred-foot tall scaly beast with radioactive halitosis. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scaly

• scaly anteater

Rhymes for scaly

• bailee
• bailie
• baily
• daily
• gaily
• gayly
• israeli
• ukulele

Kids Definition

scaly

adjective

ˈskā-lē 

scalier; scaliest

1

a

: covered with, composed of, or resembling scale or scales

b

: flaky sense 2

scaly skin

2

: infested with scale insects

scaly fruit

Medical Definition

scaly

adjective

ˈskā-lē 

scalier; scaliest

: covered with or composed of scale or scales

dry scaly skin

scaliness noun