cuticle
Americannoun
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the nonliving epidermis that surrounds the edges of the fingernail or toenail.
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the epidermis.
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a superficial integument, membrane, or the like.
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Also called cuticula. Zoology. the outer, noncellular layer of the arthropod integument, composed of a mixture of chitin and protein and commonly containing other hardening substances as well.
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Botany. a very thin hyaline film covering the surface of plants, derived from the outer surfaces of the epidermal cells.
noun
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dead skin, esp that round the base of a fingernail or toenail
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another name for epidermis
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any covering layer or membrane
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the protective layer, containing cutin, that covers the epidermis of higher plants
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the hard protective layer covering the epidermis of many invertebrates
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The noncellular, hardened or membranous protective covering of many invertebrates, such as the transparent membrane that covers annelids.
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A layer of wax and cutin that covers the outermost surfaces of a plant. The cuticle is secreted by the epidermis and helps prevent water loss and infection by parasites.
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The hard skin around the sides and base of a fingernail or toenail.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of cuticle
1605–15; < Latin cutīcula the skin, equivalent to cuti ( s ) skin, cutis + -cula -cle 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The researchers also found that lower investment in the cuticle was linked to higher diversification rates.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 22, 2025
The research team proposed that colony size might be linked to how much ants invest in their cuticle.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 22, 2025
Except for one picked cuticle on a fingernail, which was ever so slightly rimmed with blood.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2025
Malice follows suit, assuring “Your lucky streak is now losing you / Money’s dried up like a cuticle / You’re gasping for air now, it’s beautiful.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2025
I pretended to study a torn cuticle to miss his scrutiny.
From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson
"Remy hair has aligned cuticles, hair flows uniformly in one direction, which leads to less tangling and a silkier texture. This is high-value hair," says George Cherion, the company's chief executive.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2025
In addition to shelly components, it contains extremely rare soft elements such as digestive systems and cuticles, in a remarkable state of preservation.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 9, 2024
Heat from styling tools is the most common culprit behind damaged cuticles, but chemical treatments, brushing, sun and wind can also cause damage.
From Scientific American ● Aug. 16, 2023
That tic where Rose devours her cuticles with increasing intensity?
From New York Times ● Sep. 7, 2022
“Never going to happen,” Jessie replied as she picked at her cuticles.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
