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Synonyms

sheepskin

American  
[sheep-skin] / ˈʃipˌskɪn /

noun

sheepskins plural
  1. the skin of a sheep, especially such a skin dressed with the wool on, as for a garment.

  2. leather, parchment, or the like, made from the skin of sheep.

  3. Informal. a diploma.


adjective

  1. made from the skin of a sheep.

  2. (of a garment) lined with the skin of a sheep dressed with the wool on.

sheepskin British  
/ ˈʃiːpˌskɪn /

noun

    1. the skin of a sheep, esp when used for clothing, etc, or with the fleece removed and used for parchment

    2. ( as modifier )

      a sheepskin coat

"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 Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of sheepskin

First recorded in 1150–1200, sheepskin is from the Middle English word shepskinn. See sheep, skin

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:

Zanjani—a former sheepskin trader who became one of Iran’s wealthiest men and most famous sanctions busters—ratcheted up activity on Binance through his crypto firm, Zedcex, in 2024, Binance compliance reports show.

From The Wall Street Journal May 22, 2026

"With a wig and a moustache," he chortles, while wearing the sort of sheepskin coat that even Del Boy might have rejected on taste grounds.

From BBC May 13, 2026

The move lower came even though Deckers, the brand behind Hoka running shoes and Ugg sheepskin boots, beat Wall Street’s earnings and revenue targets for the quarter ended Sept. 30.

From Barron's Oct. 24, 2025

He also had custom sheepskin chair covers for the front and back.

From Salon Mar. 29, 2024

At nights, on the sheepskin Cheetah rug under the turquoise and orange blanket, I think of how to run away.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau

They can also swim, drink, play Ludo and shop for sheepskins.

From New York Times Oct. 14, 2021

When it was founded, in 1826, Pittards worked only with local Somerset sheepskins, but now it sources its skins from Ethiopia.

From BBC Aug. 3, 2018

Kris Kobach’s collection of sheepskins suggests a pretty big brain to go with his tall, broad-shouldered frame.

From Washington Post Jun. 19, 2018

The room has pine benches that are topped with Faroese sheepskins: off-white, brown, black, and almost mauve.

From The New Yorker Jun. 11, 2018

At Eastwatch someone had sewn him a motley cloak of beaver pelts, sheepskins, and rabbit fur.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

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