keratosis

noun

ker·​a·​to·​sis ˌker-ə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce keratosis (audio)
plural keratoses ˌker-ə-ˈtō-ˌsēz How to pronounce keratosis (audio)
: an area of skin marked by overgrowth of horny tissue
keratotic adjective

Examples of keratosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In May 2022, a resident was diagnosed with actinic keratosis, a skin condition caused by excessive sun exposure. Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025 This silicone scrubber helps smooth rough patches and keratosis pilaris. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2025 Offering a full-body facial to undo the unwanted, visible signs of summer, each one targets problems such as body acne, keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs, rough texture, and dry, uneven skin-tone. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Other causes may include psoriasis, scabies, or keratosis pilaris. Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for keratosis

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Keratose, from Greek kerat-, kéras "horn" + German -ose -osis — more at kerato-

Note: The term was promulgated, if not introduced, by the German physician Hermann Lebert (1813-78) in Ueber Keratose, oder die durch Bildung von Hornsubstanz erzeugten Krankheiten und ihre Behandlung, Breslau, 1864.

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of keratosis was in 1888

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Cite this Entry

“Keratosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keratosis. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

keratosis

noun
ker·​a·​to·​sis ˌker-ə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce keratosis (audio)
plural keratoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce keratosis (audio)
1
: a disease of the skin marked by overgrowth of horny tissue
2
: an area of the skin affected with keratosis
keratotic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on keratosis

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