peel

1 of 4

verb

peeled; peeling; peels

transitive verb

1
: to strip off an outer layer of
peel an orange
2
: to remove by stripping
peel the label off the can

intransitive verb

1
a
: to come off in sheets or scales
The paint is peeling.
b
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
His face is peeling.
2
: to take off one's clothes
it got hotter … you had to peel to get reliefL. M. Uris
3
: to break away from a group or formation
often used with off
Like corals, the branches of sponges can peel off and reestablish themselves as new colonies. Natural History
peelable adjective

peel

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
: the skin or rind of a fruit or vegetable
banana/lemon/potato peels
2
: a thin layer of organic material that is embedded in a film of collodion and stripped from the surface of an object (such as a plant fossil) for microscopic study
3

peel

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a usually long-handled spade-shaped instrument that is used chiefly by bakers for getting something (such as bread or pies) into or out of the oven

peel

4 of 4

noun (3)

: a medieval small massive fortified tower along the Scottish-English border

called also peel tower

Examples of peel in a Sentence

Verb They peeled back the sheet to display the new sculpture. She got sunburned and her back is peeling.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Exemptions for records possessed by majority and minority caucuses in the Legislature have also been peeled back slightly. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 Peel and cut eggs: Remove eggs from ice water; peel and cut in half crosswise. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024 Heat from direct sunlight can also cause paint to peel over time. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Mar. 2024 When removing large branches (greater than two inches in diameter) from a tree, use the three-step approach to prevent peeling damage to the main trunk. Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Mar. 2024 By peeling back the layers of a area often obscured by opulent tasting rooms and placing its flavors in the setting of a humble craftsman bungalow, the Napa Valley onion begins to taste a little sweeter. Joe Sills, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 And rage can extend from videos about whether your boyfriend will peel an orange for you to political beliefs. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and chop into 2-inch chunks. Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 26 Feb. 2024 This cookware set periodically goes on sale, so keep your eyes peeled for the next discount. Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
With his own pocketknife, V. swiftly made a spiral of red peel. Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Strain liquid into a cocktail glass and top with a twisted piece of lemon peel as garnish. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 29 Feb. 2024 In the oven, just like with whole beets, the peel softens enough to be easily eaten with a knife and fork. Joe Yonan, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2024 Carly loves to twist a wide strip of the aromatic peel over a martini, but the grated zest is equally delicious in cakes and scones. Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appétit, 23 Feb. 2024 The next morning, Taylor brings it to room temperature, transfers each loaf onto a wooden peel and slips it into the oven. Anne Brockhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024 Then, rub the grapefruit peel along the inside of the glass. Caroline Portillo, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2024 When feeding pineapple to your dog, be sure to remove the core and peel. USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024 Everything from banana peels and used coffee grounds to yard waste and soiled paper products like pizza boxes counts as organic waste. Amy Taxin, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English pelen, from Anglo-French peler, from Latin pilare to remove the hair from, from pilus hair

Noun (2)

Middle English pele, from Anglo-French, from Latin pala

Noun (3)

Middle English (Scots) pel, from Middle English, stockade, stake, from Anglo-French, stake, from Latin palus — more at pole

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1726, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peel was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near peel

Cite this Entry

“Peel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peel. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

peel

1 of 2 verb
1
: to strip off an outer layer of
peel an apple
2
: to strip or tear off
peeled off their coats
3
a
: to come off in strips or patches
the paint is peeling
b
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
your face is peeling
peeler noun

peel

2 of 2 noun
: an outer covering and especially the skin or rind of a fruit

Medical Definition

peel

1 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to strip off an outer layer of
2
: to remove (as skin or a blemish) by stripping

intransitive verb

1
: to come off in sheets or scales
sunburned skin peels
2
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
his face is peeling

peel

2 of 2 noun

Geographical Definition

Peel

geographical name

river 425 miles (684 kilometers) long in northwestern Canada rising in western Yukon (territory) and flowing east and north into the Mackenzie River

Biographical Definition

Peel

biographical name

Sir Robert 1788–1850 English statesman

More from Merriam-Webster on peel

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