scalier; scaliest
2
: of or relating to scaly animals
3
: despicable, poor
a regular scaly old shop—
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens4
: infested with scale insects
scaly fruit
scaliness
noun
Examples of scaly in a Sentence
His skin was dry and scaly.
the snake's scaly skin was dry to the touch
Recent Examples on the Web
These mutations also increase the risk of ichthyosis vulgaris (dry, scaly skin) and keratosis pilaris (small, rough bumps).1
Environmental and Lifestyle Triggers
Your symptoms may appear or worsen if you are exposed to certain triggers.
—Casey Gallagher, Health, 3 Apr. 2025
Take the Pet Personality Test to better understand your furry (or scaly) companion.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Pangolins are scaly, anteater-like mammals known for their long tongues, burrowing lifestyles and elusive habits.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
Other key ingredients like glycerin attract and pull water into the skin to keep it hydrated (as opposed to flaky or scaly).
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scaly
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Casey Gallagher, Health, 3 Apr. 2025
Take the Pet Personality Test to better understand your furry (or scaly) companion.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Pangolins are scaly, anteater-like mammals known for their long tongues, burrowing lifestyles and elusive habits.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
Other key ingredients like glycerin attract and pull water into the skin to keep it hydrated (as opposed to flaky or scaly).
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scaly
Cite this Entry
“Scaly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scaly. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scaly
adjective
scalier; scaliest
1
a
: covered with, composed of, or resembling scale or scales
b
: flaky sense 2
scaly skin
2
: infested with scale insects
scaly fruit
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