plural skins
1
: the natural outer layer of tissue that covers the body of a person or animal
I have dry skin.
She has pale/dark/fair skin.
the rough skin of a shark
skin creams/lotions
skin cancer
Choose makeup that matches your skin tone.
The horrible things I saw made my skin crawl/creep. [=made me feel disgusted, afraid, etc.]
These snakes shed their skins once a year.
2
: the skin of an animal that has been removed from the body often with its hair or feathers still attached and that is used to make things (such as clothes)
Native Americans had many uses for animal skins.
His boots are made of alligator skin.
3
: the outer covering of a fruit, vegetable, etc.
apple/sausage skins
Potato skin is very nutritious.
skins; skinned; skinning
1
: to remove the skin of (an animal, fruit, or vegetable)
The hunter skinned the rabbit and prepared it for cooking.
Skin [=(more commonly) peel] the tomatoes/peppers.
2
: to scrape or rub off some of the skin from (a body part)
I skinned my knee when I fell.
Cite this Entry
“Skin.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/skin. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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