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
Her plan was to clear dead skin from the edges of his wound and then apply a specific treatment: the scaly skin of a fish from Iceland that would promote healing and stave off the need for amputation.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 8 June 2026
But lurking in the grasslands and forest clearings of at least two southeastern counties is a scaly intruder that state wildlife officials say poses a serious threat to native animals and crops alike.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Other signs include a change in skin texture that may look puckered, scaly or inflamed, and may appear red, purple or darker in other areas of the breast.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
With its scaly armor, pointy ears, elongated snout, and curved claws, the armadillo is undeniably odd-looking.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scaly
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Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 8 June 2026
But lurking in the grasslands and forest clearings of at least two southeastern counties is a scaly intruder that state wildlife officials say poses a serious threat to native animals and crops alike.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Other signs include a change in skin texture that may look puckered, scaly or inflamed, and may appear red, purple or darker in other areas of the breast.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
With its scaly armor, pointy ears, elongated snout, and curved claws, the armadillo is undeniably odd-looking.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scaly
Cite this Entry
“Scaly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scaly. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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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