EnglishMain Dictionary
skin
Universal Words
noun, verb
noun
on body
1 [U,C] the layer of tissue that covers the body:
to have dark / fair / olive skin * The snake sheds its skin once a year. * cosmetics for sensitive skins * skin cancer
seealsoFORESKIN, REDSKIN
-skinned
2 (in adjectives) having the type of skin mentioned:
dark-skinned * fair-skinned
seealsoTHICK-SKINNED, THIN-SKINNED
of dead animal
3 [C,U] (often in compounds) the skin of a dead animal with or without its fur, used for making leather, etc:
The skins are removed and laid out to dry. * a tiger skin rug
of fruit / vegetables
4 [C,U] the outer layer of some fruit and vegetables:
Remove the skins by soaking the tomatoes in hot water.
seealsoBANANASKIN
comparePEEL, RIND, ZEST
of sausage
5 [C,U] the thin outer layer of a sausage:
Prick the skins before grilling.
on liquids
6 [C,U] the thin layer that forms on the surface of some liquids, especially when they become cold:
A skin had formed on the top of the milk.
outside layer
7 [C] a layer that covers the outside of sth:
the outer skin of the earth * the metal skin of the aircraft
seealsoOILSKIN
IDIOMS
by the skin of your teeth (informal) if you do sth by the skin of your teeth, you only just manage to do it:
He escaped defeat by the skin of his teeth.
get under sb's skin (informal) to annoy sb:
Don't let him get under your skin.
have got sb under your skin (informal) to be extremely attracted to sb
it's no skin off my, your, his, etc. nose (informal) used to say that sb is not upset or annoyed about sth because it does not affect them in a bad way
make your skin crawl to make you feel afraid or full of disgust:
Just the sight of him makes my skin crawl.
(nothing but / all / only) skin and bone (informal) extremely thin in a way that is not attractive or healthy
moreatJUMPv., SAVEv., THICKadj., THINadj.
verb (-nn-) [VN]
animal / fruit / vegetable
1 to take the skin off an animal, a fruit or a vegetable:
You'll need four ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped. * We learnt how to trap and skin a rabbit.
part of body
2 to accidentally rub the skin off part of your body:
He skinned his knees climbing down the tree.
IDIOMS see EYEn.
