What does windburn mean?
Windburn is redness, soreness, and irritation of the skin caused by prolonged exposure to cold, drying wind. It commonly affects exposed areas such as the face, especially during skiing, sailing, cycling, or winter walks. The skin may feel tight, raw, painful, or begin to peel, making windburn resemble sunburn in appearance even though sunlight is not its cause. Cold wind removes moisture and natural oils from the skin, so the resulting injury is often described as burning. The word can be used as a noun, as in “windburn on her cheeks,” or as a transitive verb, as in “the wind windburned his face.” Windburn is used in both British and American English, though it is especially associated with cold, windy environments. It is a useful term because it identifies a distinct winter hazard and distinguishes wind-induced skin damage from ordinary dryness or sunburn.
Redness, soreness, irritation, or peeling of the skin caused by exposure to cold, drying wind.
"The moisturizer relieved the painful windburn on her hands."
Often used with expressions such as “prevent” or “suffer from”; it can also be used as an uncountable condition.
To injure the skin by exposing it to cold, drying wind, causing windburn.
"The fierce wind windburned his exposed cheeks and lips."
Transitive and usually used with a person or body part as its object.
The plural is rarely needed; the condition is often expressed with a phrase such as “a bout of windburn.”
"Several sailors developed windburns during the storm."
Windburn can burn and peel like sunburn even on a cloudy day.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of windburn
Windburn is an English compound formed from “wind” and “burn,” describing a burn-like injury caused by wind. Both elements are native English words: “wind” comes from Old English wind, while “burn” derives from Old English b burnan. The compound is recorded from the 19th century, when English usage increasingly formed descriptive compounds for injuries and effects associated with particular causes.
Related word forms
How windburn is actually used
The noun is generally used in practical or medical contexts rather than formal writing. As a transitive verb, windburn usually describes the effect of exposure to harsh wind on a person's skin.
Easily confused with windburn
Sunburn is inflammation caused primarily by ultraviolet radiation, whereas windburn is caused by cold, drying wind, although the two can occur together.