stretch marks

plural noun

: striae on the skin (as of the hips, abdomen, and breasts) from excessive stretching and rupture of elastic fibers especially due to pregnancy or obesity

Examples of stretch marks in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Exfoliation helps to reduce acne, ingrown hairs, stretch marks, and scarring and stimulates lymphatic drainage, which can help reduce inflammation, helps to increase blood circulation, promotes collagen and elastin, and so much more. —ABC News, 19 May 2026

For over a decade Aerie has promoted the #Aerie Real campaign, which advocates for body positivity and celebrates real people with real skin, stretch marks and skin bumps. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 7 May 2026

Mason added that symptoms such as easy bruising, hormonal changes or purple stretch marks could point to an endocrine disorder rather than a cosmetic issue. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026

Celebrated for its role in softening stretch marks, rosehip oil offers far more than body care alone. —Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stretch marks

• benchmarks
• earmarks
• embarks
• hallmarks
• landmarks
• monarchs
• reichsmarks
• remarks
• remarques
• trademarks
• arcs
• barks

Medical Definition

stretch marks

noun plural

: striae on the skin (as of the hips, abdomen, and breasts) from excessive stretching and rupture of elastic fibers especially due to pregnancy or obesity