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

Mann was treated at a local hospital for a wound that was subcutaneous and minor. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2026

Though a medical team responded to the shooting, the injury was considered minor and subcutaneous. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026

The director has been an experienced target shooter for decades, according to a person familiar with the circumstances, who described the injury as minor and subcutaneous. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

Superficial and deep clots A superficial clot forms in superficial veins, which are often visible just below the skin in subcutaneous fat. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

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