acne

American  

[ak-nee] / ˈæk ni /

noun

Pathology.

acnes plural

1. an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands, characterized by comedones and pimples, especially on the face, back, and chest, and, in severe cases, by cysts and nodules resulting in scarring.

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acne British  

/ ˈæknɪ /

noun

1. Also called: acne vulgaris.  a chronic skin disease common in adolescence, involving inflammation of the sebaceous glands and characterized by pustules on the face, neck, and upper trunk See also rosacea

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acne Scientific  

/ ăk′nē /

1. An inflammatory disease of the skin in which the sebaceous glands become clogged and infected, often causing the formation of pimples, especially on the face. It is most common during adolescence, but also occurs in infants and adults.

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Usage

What is acne? Acne is a skin condition in which the skin’s sebaceous glands become clogged, infected, and inflamed. A more technical name for it is acne vulgaris. Acne commonly results in pimples—small inflammations or swellings of the skin that may or may not be filled with pus. More severe cases of acne can result in cysts and nodules that can leave scars. Acne most commonly affects the face, neck, and back. It is most common among teens and preteens due to changes in body chemistry during the period of development known as puberty, but adults can also get acne. Example: My skin is naturally oily, so I have to buy a specific face wash to help keep my acne under control.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• acned
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• acnes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of acne

1820–30; < New Latin < Late Greek aknás, a manuscript error for akmás, accusative plural of akmḗ facial eruption, probably to be identified with Greek akmḗ acme

Explanation

Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples or even a red rash to pop up on your face and sometimes your back and shoulders. Teenagers are often affected by acne, which is a real bummer when you’re trying to flirt. When you have acne, your skin is red and pimpled. Acne shows up on the face because that’s where you have more sebaceous glands, which are glands that produce oils to protect and annoy mammals. Acne also shows up on backs and shoulders, but it can really pop up anywhere on your body. Teenagers often get acne, because those fun hormonal surges of puberty cause an uptick in oil production. Adults can get acne as well. Great.

Example Sentences

On a recent summer day at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, students ambled through yawns, braces and acne into their creative writing class.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

The Cleveland Clinic notes that symptoms instead vary widely and can include irregular menstrual cycles, elevated androgen levels, acne, hair growth or loss, infertility and metabolic complications.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

I developed persistent acne throughout high school and college, the kind that doesn’t respond to anything and nobody can explain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Some light therapies are used in hospitals for eczema, psoriasis and acne, but those are very different, delivering precisely targeted UV rays under strict medical supervision.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

His name was Mullah Fatiullah Khan, a short, stubby man with a face full of acne scars and a gruff voice.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini