dermal

adjective

der·​mal ˈdər-məl 

1

: of or relating to skin and especially to the dermis : cutaneous

2

: epidermal

Did you know?

The word dermal often comes up nowadays in connection with cosmetic treatments. Dermal therapy usually means restoring moisture to dry, cracked skin. Dermal fillers such as collagen can be injected to fill in acne scars or reduce wrinkles. These have now been joined by treatments like Botox, which paralyzes facial dermal muscles, again in order to reduce wrinkles (since those dermal muscles are used to form expressions). A synonym for dermal is cutaneous.

Examples of dermal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another way that the U-Penn system offers a massive improvement over previous rigid and hydrogel electrodes – which poorly adhere to hairy skin, or skin wet from perspiration – is in their actual dermal application. — New Atlas, 18 July 2026

In the absence of phony injuries, World Cup athletic trainers have had little cause to deploy the dermal refrigerant, which basically functions as an aerosolized placebo. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026

The researchers found that surviving fibroblasts developed significantly larger nuclei after depletion—a possible sign of cellular stress—and that the fibroblast network covering the dermal space shrank by only about 10%. — Peter Jurich, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2026

Earlier that month, the pre-teen showed off her dermal piercings in a promo shot for her debut EP, N0rth4evr. — Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dermal

• thermal
• ectodermal
• endodermal
• epidermal
• epithermal
• geothermal
• hydrothermal
• intradermal
• isothermal
• mesodermal
• photothermal
• electrothermal

Kids Definition

dermal

adjective

der·​mal ˈdər-məl 

: of or relating to the dermis or epidermis : cutaneous

Medical Definition

dermal

adjective

der·​mal ˈdər-məl 

1

: of or relating to skin and especially to the dermis : cutaneous

2

: epidermal