scalier; scaliest
2
: of or relating to scaly animals
3
: despicable, poor
A regular scaly old shop …—
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens4
: infested with scale insects
scaly fruit
scaliness
noun
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
Scalp Psoriasis Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that makes skin cells grow faster, resulting in thick, scaly patches of skin (plaques).
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 30 Oct. 2025
In mice, the scaly patches of irritated skin soon began growing new hair – and tests confirmed that white fat cells below the surface had shifted into fat-burning mode, revealing a burst of metabolic activity normally associated with fasting or cold exposure.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
Naturally, making a pact with a scaly weapon of mass destruction has consequences in a story that takes place over 25 years beginning in 1989.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Oak trees can be identified by their hard brown scaly bark, lobed leaves, and acorns.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scaly
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Lindsay Curtis, Health, 30 Oct. 2025
In mice, the scaly patches of irritated skin soon began growing new hair – and tests confirmed that white fat cells below the surface had shifted into fat-burning mode, revealing a burst of metabolic activity normally associated with fasting or cold exposure.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
Naturally, making a pact with a scaly weapon of mass destruction has consequences in a story that takes place over 25 years beginning in 1989.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Oak trees can be identified by their hard brown scaly bark, lobed leaves, and acorns.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scaly
Cite this Entry
“Scaly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scaly. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scaly
adjective
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
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