scalier; scaliest
2
: of or relating to scaly animals
3
: despicable, poor
a regular scaly old shop—
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens4
: infested with scale insects
scaly fruit
scaliness
noun
Examples of scaly in a Sentence
His skin was dry and scaly.
the snake's scaly skin was dry to the touch
Recent Examples on the Web
The residents of the Sunshine State have a few more scaly neighbors.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 1 May 2025
Eczema, which looks like red, patchy, scaly areas of skin, and contact dermatitis are among the most common.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 18 Apr. 2025
Read Next World Elusive scaly creature with blue mouth and green blood is a new species.
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The scaly creatures require rocky, open areas to bask, experts say.
—Tanasia Kenney, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
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Kelli Bender, People.com, 1 May 2025
Eczema, which looks like red, patchy, scaly areas of skin, and contact dermatitis are among the most common.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 18 Apr. 2025
Read Next World Elusive scaly creature with blue mouth and green blood is a new species.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
The scaly creatures require rocky, open areas to bask, experts say.
—Tanasia Kenney, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scaly
Cite this Entry
“Scaly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scaly. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scaly
adjective
scalier; scaliest
1
a
: covered with, composed of, or resembling scale or scales
b
: flaky sense 2
scaly skin
2
: infested with scale insects
scaly fruit
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