sharkskin

American  

[shahrk-skin] / ˈʃɑrkˌskɪn /

noun

1. a smooth fabric of acetate or rayon with a dull or chalklike appearance, for apparel.

2. a fine worsted fabric in twill weave, compact in texture and light to medium in weight, for suits.

---

sharkskin British  

/ ˈʃɑːkˌskɪn /

noun

1. a smooth glossy fabric of acetate rayon, used for sportswear, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of sharkskin

First recorded in 1850–55; shark ¹ + skin

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sharkskin

And no one looked better in spearpoint collars and sharkskin silk suits than Ray.

From Seattle Times ● May 29, 2022

This fall, Supreme is offering a throwback sharkskin suit with notch lapels in muddy brown and blue.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2019

Several readers weighed in, some of them curious about the admittedly bizarre items I was so excited about discovering at the Tysons Corner Marshalls: striped jeans and a sharkskin suit.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 17, 2017

The Rousers, Max’s alumni who have been playing since 1977, took the stage at Arlene’s in their black shirts and sharkskin suits as the crowd thundered.

From New York Times ● Nov. 24, 2017

I remember changing my mind about the wild sharkskin gray zoot I had planned to wear, and deciding instead to put on the first one I’d gotten, the blue zoot.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---