sharkskin

noun

shark·​skin ˈshärk-ˌskin 

1

: the hide of a shark or leather made from it

2

a

: a smooth durable woolen or worsted suiting in twill or basket weave with small woven designs

b

: a smooth crisp fabric with a dull finish made usually of rayon in basket weave

Examples of sharkskin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the end of the film, Sandy Olsson (played by the late, great Olivia Newton-John) emerges for the splashy closing number wearing a leather moto jacket, skintight sharkskin pants, and heels. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025

In addition to stamp sales (with proceeds benefiting the marine research society), Leicester planned to sell a Sea Turtle Cookery Book bound in sharkskin and a small newspaper titled the Times of New Atlantis. — Fred Nadis, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2024

Chef George grated the wasabi with a sharkskin grater, telling me that 99% of Japanese restaurants do not use real wasabi. — Margie Goldsmith, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2022

The low-pressure vortex helps to suck the sharkskin forward through the water. — Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2012

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sharkskin

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

Kids Definition

sharkskin

noun

shark·​skin ˈshärk-ˌskin 

1

: the hide of a shark or leather made from it

2

: a smooth durable material with small woven designs that looks like the hide of a shark