scaly

American  

[skey-lee] / ˈskeɪ li /

adjective

scalier, scaliest

1. covered with or abounding in scales scale or scale.

2. characterized by or consisting of scales; scale; scalelike.

3. peeling or flaking off in scales. scale.

4. Slang. shabby; despicable.

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scaly British  

/ ˈskeɪlɪ /

adjective

1. resembling or covered in scales

2. peeling off in scales

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Other Word Forms

• scaliness noun
• unscaly adjective

Etymology

Origin of scaly

First recorded in 1520–30; scale ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

But if one had seen it on the forest floor, one would have thought it was merely an oddly shaped stump: the cover made of scaly bark, the thick pages bound with twine.

From Literature

In it, a government scientist discovers that a scaly creature worshiped by island villagers as a sea god has grown to a monstrosity that dwarfs tall buildings.

From Salon

McManus suggested that people’s love for their furry, feathery or scaly companions transcends party lines.

From Los Angeles Times

Suddenly a scaly red arm stretched into the light.

From Literature

I came to a standstill at the sight of a scaly tail a few feet away, but it turned out to belong to a huge monitor lizard hiding in the undergrowth.

From Literature