What does skin mean?
Skin is the thin, flexible tissue that covers the human body and helps protect it from injury, infection, and environmental extremes. It also senses touch, temperature, and pain and contributes to regulating body temperature. The word is used more broadly for the outer covering of animals, the surface of fruits and vegetables, and the exposed surface of other objects. In figurative language, it can refer to a person's outward identity or emotional state, as in “a matter of skin” and “under the skin.” Skin is also the body's largest organ, making it an important subject in medicine, dermatology, and personal care. Though usually neutral and factual, the word can become informal when used to refer directly to a person, especially in British English.
The tissue forming the outer covering of the human body; also, the external covering of an animal or the surface of a fruit or other object.
"Moisturizer can help keep dry skin comfortable."
The word can also refer to a person's identity or emotional state in figurative expressions.
To remove the skin from an animal or food, or to strip something of an outer covering.
"They skinned the rabbit and prepared it for roasting."
This use is literal when preparing food or pelts and figurative when it means to deceive or attack someone harshly.
The plural refers to multiple layers or coverings, as in animal skins, fruit skins, or the skins of people.
"The vegetable peelings included potato and carrot skins."
Human skin is the body's largest organ, covering roughly two square metres and helping regulate temperature and sensation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does skin come from?
The English word comes from Old English skinn, meaning the covering of the body or an animal's hide. It belongs to the Germanic family and is related to forms in other Germanic languages, including Old Norse skinn. Over time, the word developed its modern meanings for the body's outer tissue, animal coverings, and the surface layer of fruits and other objects.
Related word forms
How skin is actually used
In general contexts, skin refers to the body's outer tissue. In British informal English, “skin” can also refer to a person, as in “you daft skin,” while figurative uses such as “under the skin” concern what lies beneath a visible surface.
Easily confused with skin
Skin generally refers to the body's surface tissue or the outer covering of an animal, while hide often specifically means an animal's treated or raw covering and can also mean to conceal something.
Skin is the physical tissue covering the body, whereas complexion refers especially to the color and quality of a person's facial skin.