epidermis

American  

[ep-i-dur-mis] / ˌɛp ɪˈdɜr mɪs /

noun

1. Anatomy. the outer, nonvascular, nonsensitive layer of the skin, covering the true skin or corium.

2. Zoology. the outermost living layer of an animal, usually composed of one or more layers of cells.

3. Botany. a thin layer of cells forming the outer integument of seed plants and ferns.

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epidermis British  

/ ˌɛpɪˈdɜːmɪs /

noun

1. Also called: cuticle.  the thin protective outer layer of the skin, composed of stratified epithelial tissue

2. the outer layer of cells of an invertebrate

3. the outer protective layer of cells of a plant, which may be thickened by a cuticle

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epidermis Scientific  

/ ĕp′ĭ-dûr′mĭs /

1. The protective outer layer of the skin. In invertebrate animals, the epidermis is made up of a single layer of cells. In vertebrates, it is made up of many layers of cells and overlies the dermis. Hair and feathers grow from the epidermis.

2. The outer layer of cells of the stems, roots, and leaves of plants. In most plants, the epidermis is a single layer of cells set close together to protect the plant from water loss, invasion by fungi, and physical damage. The epidermis that is exposed to air is covered with a protective substance called cuticle.

3. See more at photosynthesis

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epidermis Cultural  

1. The outside layers of the skin.

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Other Word Forms

• epidermal adjective
• epidermic adjective
• epidermically adverb

Etymology

Origin of epidermis

1620–30; < Late Latin: surface skin < Greek epidermís upper skin. See epi-, derma ¹

Compare meaning

How does epidermis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dermis vs. epidermis

Explanation

You might have heard an obnoxious classmate shout, "Your epidermis is showing!" Don't panic: epidermis is just a fancy word for skin. The word epidermis comes from the Greek roots epi meaning "upon" and derma, which means "skin," a pretty apt translation, since epidermis is the outer layer of cell on the surface of an organism, in short — "the skin." Our epidermis is our main protection from the dangers of the outside world. It's thinnest on the eyelids and thickest on the palms of our hands.

Example Sentences

Butts are, after all, the indoor kids of the epidermis.

From Salon • Oct. 20, 2025

Butts are, after all, the indoor kids of the epidermis.

From Salon • Oct. 20, 2025

The epidermis, the top layer of the skin, protects the body from external aggression.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

This study, published in the journal Cell Reports, could bring new perspectives for the study of human epidermis and the illnesses that affect it.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

If it is from the alterations they’ve made to their epidermis, I have nothing to help him.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Related Words

• bark
• coating
• crust
• fur
• husk
• jacket
• membrane
• rind
• sheath
• surface