Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

squamous

American  
[skway-muhs] / ˈskweɪ məs /
Also squamose

adjective

  1. covered with or formed of squamae; scaly.

  2. like a scale.


squamous British  
/ ˈskweɪməs, ˈskweɪməʊs /

adjective

  1. (of epithelium) consisting of one or more layers of flat platelike cells

  2. covered with, formed of, or resembling scales

"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


Etymology

Origin of squamous

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin squāmōsus “covered with scales, scaly”; see squama, -ous


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:

Cetuximab is approved to treat metastatic colorectal cancer and advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, although Sunwoo noted that it does not work especially well when used alone.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

The other Phase 3 volrustomig trials will continue as planned in cervical cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and mesothelioma.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

About 150,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed in 2020 with squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 1, 2026

The drug, INBRX-106, showed positive results in a Phase 2 trial for patients with metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

From Barron's ● May 11, 2026

Doctors found squamous cell cancer in a small mole they removed from Ma’s face, a condition caused by too much exposure to the sun.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com