skin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "skin" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
You can use it when referring to the outer covering of a living organism, particularly in discussions about anatomy, health, or beauty. Example: "The dermatologist explained how to properly care for your skin to prevent aging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet there is the competitor's relish for the challenges ahead and it is plain that Arsenal has got under his skin.

The Guardian - Sport

"The idea, visually, is to be light skin and dark skin, urban, rural and remote from all different parts of Australia, so there is a balanced visualisation of what Aboriginal women look like," Quilliam tells Guardian Australia on the road from Ntaria to Alice Springs.

The Guardian - Arts

Back in London, I find a 2008 paper on morgellons in the journal Dermatologic Therapy that describes patients picking "at their skin continuously in order to 'extract' an organism"; "obsessive cleaning rituals, showering often" and individuals going "to many physicians, such as infectious disease specialists and dermatologists" – all behaviours "consistent with DOP".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When these people arrive at Australian detention centres, they are left with severe sunburn and skin rashes, sitting in clothing drenched with faeces and urine while they await interrogation.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have been handed a hard lesson on how terrorism does not care for nationality, citizenship, religion or the colour of one's skin.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some had their eyes gouged out, others had flayed or badly bleeding skin.

The Guardian

The "apparent Muslim" has physical features supposedly similar to those associated with terrorism – brown skin, facial hair, turbans – but those who use the presumptive discrimination end up conflating racial and religious features.

The Guardian - Opinion

Don't turn over – let the skin get golden and crisp.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Above all, it needs to be functional, in a neutral colour match to your skin tone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is not an entirely glamorous story: the bra stuck to her skin so firmly that it took two bridesmaids to remove it when she tested it out, but it worked on the day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lift off any skin that forms on the surface during cooking, taking care not to remove any of the aromatics with it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "skin" metaphorically to describe emotional resilience, as in "thick skin".

Common error

Avoid overusing the phrase "getting under someone's skin" as it can sound cliché. Instead, try more nuanced expressions to describe annoyance or irritation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "skin" is as a noun, referring to the outer protective layer of an animal's body. It can also function as a verb, meaning to injure or remove the skin. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

25%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "skin" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to denote the outer protective layer of an animal or human body. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Its function extends beyond the literal, often appearing in metaphorical contexts related to emotions and superficial appearances. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, more precise terms like "epidermis" or "dermis" are recommended in scientific contexts. Its high frequency across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Opinion pieces, underscores its relevance in everyday language. Understanding its various nuances is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

integument

More formal and technical term for the outer protective covering.

epidermis

Specifically refers to the outermost layer of the skin.

dermis

Refers to the layer of skin beneath the epidermis.

hide

Refers to the skin of an animal, often used in the context of leather or fur.

pelt

The skin of a fur-bearing animal.

outer layer

A more general term referring to the external covering of something.

complexion

Refers to the appearance and texture of the skin, especially on the face.

covering

A general term for something that covers or protects.

surface

Refers to the external face of an object.

membrane

A thin pliable sheet of material of animal or plant origin.

FAQs

How can I use "skin" in a sentence?

You can use "skin" to refer to the outer layer of the body, as in "Protect your "skin" from the sun". It can also be used metaphorically, such as "develop a thick "skin"" to deal with criticism.

What are some alternative words for "skin" in a scientific context?

In a scientific context, alternatives to "skin" include "integument", "epidermis", or "dermis", depending on the specific layer you are referring to.

What does it mean when someone says something "gets under my skin"?

When someone says something "gets under my "skin"", it means that it annoys or irritates them. It's an idiomatic expression.

Is it appropriate to use "skin" to describe something other than human or animal tissue?

Yes, "skin" can be used metaphorically to describe the outer layer or appearance of objects, such as "the "skin" of a fruit" or "a new "skin" for a computer program".