subcutaneous

adjective

sub·​cu·​ta·​ne·​ous ˌsəb-kyu̇-ˈtā-nē-əs 

: being, living, occurring, or administered under the skin

subcutaneous parasites

subcutaneous tissues

subcutaneously adverb

Examples of subcutaneous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier that year, Rune Elmqvist had invented this particular pacemaker, designed to be implanted in a subcutaneous pouch in a patient suffering a cardiac disease. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2025

The deepest layer, the hypodermis or subcutaneous tissue, is mostly fat that cushions and insulates your body. —New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025

Before menopause, estrogen encourages fat storage in the arms, hips, and thighs as subcutaneous fat, which is generally considered safer than belly (visceral) fat. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025

They were given vitamins and subcutaneous fluids before transitioning to a natural diet that included small meat bits and a species-specific formula that is similar to their mother’s milk. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin subcutaneus, from Latin sub- + cutis skin — more at hide entry 2

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subcutaneous

• miscellaneous
• percutaneous
• simultaneous
• subterraneous
• transcutaneous
• contemporaneous
• extemporaneous
• intracutaneous
• mucocutaneous
• extraneous
• spontaneous
• lanius

Kids Definition

subcutaneous

adjective

sub·​cu·​ta·​ne·​ous ˌsəb-kyu̇-ˈtā-nē-əs 

: being, living, occurring, or given under the skin

subcutaneous parasites

Medical Definition

subcutaneous

adjective

sub·​cu·​ta·​ne·​ous ˌsəb-kyu̇-ˈtā-nē-əs 

: being, living, used, or made under the skin

subcutaneous parasites

subcutaneously adverb