What does coriaceous mean?
Coriaceous is an adjective describing something that has the texture or appearance of leather — thick, tough, and pliant yet firm. It appears most often in botany, where it describes leaves that are stiff, durable, and resistant to wilting, such as those of holly, rhododendron, or many tropical evergreens. Such coriaceous foliage tends to withstand harsh conditions better than thin, papery leaves. Beyond plant science, the word can be applied more generally to any surface or material with a leathery quality. Derived from the Latin 'corium', meaning hide or skin, coriaceous carries a precise, technical flavor and belongs chiefly to formal and scientific registers rather than everyday conversation. Its value lies in conveying an exact tactile impression — tougher than membranous, softer than woody — in a single word.
adjectiveHaving the texture or appearance of leather; leathery, especially in reference to leaves or other plant surfaces that are thick, tough, and somewhat stiff.
- (of leaves and plant parts) having a tough, thickened, leathery texture; (more generally) having the appearance or feel of leather.
"The coriaceous leaves of the holly resisted the drought far better than those of its neighbors."
"The botanist noted the coriaceous character of the magnolia's foliage."
"Under his fingers the old book cover felt distinctly coriaceous."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of coriaceous
Coriaceous comes from Latin 'corium', meaning hide or leather (the same root behind the anatomical term 'corium', part of the skin). It was adopted into English as a technical adjective, appearing by at least the mid-seventeenth century, primarily in natural history writing where precise description of textures mattered. Cognate forms appear in Romance languages such as French 'coriacé' and Spanish 'coriáceo'.
How coriaceous is actually used
Chiefly used in botanical and descriptive scientific contexts; rare in everyday speech.
Easily confused with coriaceous
Corticate means having bark or a rind, whereas coriaceous specifically means having a leathery texture.