- 1[uncountable, countable] the layer of tissue that covers the body to have dark/fair/olive, etc. skin The snake sheds its skin once a year. cosmetics for sensitive skins skin cancer Topic CollocationsPhysical AppearanceA person may be described as having:eyes
- (bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
- deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
- small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/shifty eyes
- piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
- bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
- bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
- long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
- a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
- a straight/a pointy/a Roman/an aquiline nose
- full/thick/thin/pouty lips
- dry/chapped/cracked lips
- flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
- soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
- white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
- a large/high/broad/wide forehead
- a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
- a long/full/bushy/wispy beard
- a full/thin goatee
- a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil mustache
- pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
- dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
- a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
- deep/fine/small/facial wrinkles
- blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/ginger/gray hair
- straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
- thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
- dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
- long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
- a bald/balding/shaved head
- a receding hairline
- a bald patch/spot
- a side/center part
- a long/short/thick/slender/ (disapproving) scrawny neck
- broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
- a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
- a flat/round/swollen/bulging stomach
- a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
- big/wide/narrow/slim hips
- a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
- thin/slender/muscular arms
- big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
- long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
- long/muscular/hairy/shapely/ (informal) (often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
- muscular/chubby/ (informal) (disapproving) flabby thighs/calves
- big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
- a good/slim/slender/hourglass figure
- be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
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-skinned - 2(in adjectives) having the type of skin mentioned dark-skinned fair-skinned see thick-skinned, thin-skinned
- 3[countable, uncountable] (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[countable, uncountable] the outer layer of some fruit and vegetables Remove the skins by soaking the tomatoes in hot water. compare peel, rind, zest of sausage
- 5[countable, uncountable] the thin outer layer of a sausage Prick the skins before grilling. on liquids
- 6[countable, uncountable] the thin layer that forms on the surface of some liquids A skin had formed on the top of the milk. outside layer
- 7[countable] a layer that covers the outside of something the outer skin of the earth the metal skin of the aircraft
- 8[countable] a special cover for any small electronic device that you can carry with you so that you can listen to music You can create your own custom skin for your iPod. The skin has a clear protective layer. in computer program
- 9[countable] (computing) the interface of a computer program (= the way a computer program presents information on a screen), that the user can change to suit their particular preferences Idioms
on body
if you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just manage to do it He escaped defeat by the skin of his teeth.
to annoy someone Don't let him get under your skin.
to be extremely attracted to someone
used to say that someone is not upset or annoyed about something because it does not affect them in a bad way
to move violently because of a sudden shock
to make you feel afraid or full of disgust Just the sight of him makes my skin crawl.
to try to avoid death, punishment, etc., especially by leaving others in an extremely difficult situation To save his own skin, he lied and blamed the accident on his friend.
extremely thin in a way that is not attractive or healthy
the ability to accept criticism, insults, etc. without becoming upset opposite a thin skin, thick-skinned
the lack of ability to accept criticism, insults, etc. without becoming upset You shouldn't be in politics if you have such a thin skin. opposite a thick skin, thin-skinned
Check pronunciation: skin