peel
1to strip (something) of its skin, rind, bark, etc.: to peel an orange.
to strip (the skin, rind, bark, paint, etc.) from something: to peel paint from a car.
Croquet. to cause (another player's ball) to go through a wicket.
(of skin, bark, paint, etc.) to come off; become separated.
to lose the skin, rind, bark, paint, etc.
Informal. to undress.
Metallurgy. (of a malleable iron casting) to lose, or tend to lose, the outer layer.
the skin or rind of a fruit, vegetable, etc.
Metallurgy. the presence of a brittle outer layer on a malleable iron casting.
peel off,
to remove (the skin, bark, etc.) or be removed: The old skin peeled off.
Aeronautics. to leave a flying formation of aircraft with a banking turn, usually from one end of an echelon.
Informal. to turn off or leave (a road): We peeled off the highway onto a dirt road.
to remove (clothing) in a swift upward or downward motion.
Idioms about peel
keep one's eyes peeled, Informal. to watch closely or carefully; be alert: Keep your eyes peeled for a gas station.
Origin of peel
1synonym study For peel
Other words from peel
- peel·a·ble, adjective
- un·peel·a·ble, adjective
- un·peeled, adjective
Words that may be confused with peel
- peal, peel
Other definitions for peel (2 of 4)
a shovellike implement for putting bread, pies, etc., into the oven or taking them out.
Metallurgy. a long, shovellike iron tool for charging an open-hearth furnace.
Origin of peel
2Other definitions for peel (3 of 4)
or pele
a small fortified tower for residence or for use during an attack, common in the border counties of England and Scotland in the 16th century.
Origin of peel
3Other definitions for Peel (4 of 4)
Sir Robert, 1788–1850, British political leader: founder of the London constabulary; prime minister 1834–35; 1841–46.
a seaport on W Isle of Man: castle; resort.
a river in N Yukon Territory and NW Northwest Territories, Canada, flowing E and N to the Mackenzie River. 425 miles (684 km) long.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use peel in a sentence
Rhode Island Reds will not eat melon rinds, banana peels, orange skins, pickles, or onions, F.Y.I.
What Did TJ Mean By “Pursuit of Happiness,” Anyway? | P. J. O’Rourke | June 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe chicken, fried in impeccably fresh peanut oil, is enveloped in a salty skin that peels away in bacon-rich strips.
Charlottesville Is Swimming in Finger Lickin’ Gas Station Fried Chicken | Jane & Michael Stern | May 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIndeed, Putin throws banana peels on the ground, and Obama manages to slip on every one of them.
U.S. Spies Said No Russian Invasion of Ukraine—Putin Disagreed | Eli Lake, Christopher Dickey | March 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhile drinking that eat two bananas and let the peels soak in a glass of water.
Use These 15 Home Remedies Based On Ayurveda To Cure Menstrual Cramps, Hangovers, and Indigestion | Ari Meisel | January 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTInch by inch he peels the black sleeve from the white round arm.
John Ingerfield and Other Stories | Jerome K. Jerome
Cut the peels of two lemons into fine pieces and add to the alcohol and oil of lemon.
Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians | William K. DavidIt is easily done; there are no quills on the belly, and the skin peels as freely as a rabbit's.
Woodcraft and Camping | George Washington Sears (Nessmuk)When I use willer for a wand it will twist in my hands till the bark peels off.
The Skipper and the Skipped | Holman DayThis mode must be practiced when the bark peels easily, or separates with ease from the wood.
Parsons on the Rose | Samuel Browne Parsons
British Dictionary definitions for peel (1 of 4)
/ (piːl) /
(tr) to remove (the skin, rind, outer covering, etc) of (a fruit, egg, etc)
(intr) (of paint, etc) to be removed from a surface, esp through weathering
(intr) (of a surface) to lose its outer covering of paint, etc esp through weathering
(intr) (of a person or part of the body) to shed skin in flakes or (of skin) to be shed in flakes, esp as a result of sunburn
croquet to put (another player's ball) through a hoop or hoops
keep one's eyes peeled or keep one's eyes skinned to watch vigilantly
the skin or rind of a fruit, etc
Origin of peel
1- See also peel off
British Dictionary definitions for peel (2 of 4)
/ (piːl) /
a long-handled shovel used by bakers for moving bread, in an oven
Origin of peel
2British Dictionary definitions for peel (3 of 4)
/ (piːl) /
(in Britain) a fortified tower of the 16th century on the borders between England and Scotland, built to withstand raids
Origin of peel
3British Dictionary definitions for Peel (4 of 4)
/ (piːl) /
John, real name John Robert Parker Ravenscroft . 1939–2004, British broadcaster; presented his influential Radio 1 music programme (1967–2004) and Radio 4's Home Truths (1998–2004)
Sir Robert. 1788–1850, British statesman; Conservative prime minister (1834–35; 1841–46). As Home Secretary (1828–30) he founded the Metropolitan Police and in his second ministry carried through a series of free-trade budgets culminating in the repeal of the Corn Laws (1846), which split the Tory party
Derived forms of Peel
- Peelite, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with peel
In addition to the idiom beginning with peel
- peel off
also see:
- keep one's eyes open (peeled)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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