scaly

adjective

ˈskā-lē 

scalier; scaliest

1

a

: covered with, composed of, or rich in scale or scales

b

: flaky

2

: of or relating to scaly animals

3

: despicable, poor

a regular scaly old shop

—Charles Dickens

4

: infested with scale insects

scaly fruit

scaliness noun

Synonyms

• scaled
• squamous

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

But something caught the scaly animal and hauled it to the surface. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 24 June 2024

My favorite costumes in the Y entrance line were two Reputation clowns wearing scaly dresses and snaky blue boas paired with bright-red clown wigs that made everyone smile. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024

Those studies start by wrangling these scaly reptiles. —Benji Jones, Vox, 21 May 2024

Visiting scientists found the scaly animal and discovered a new species. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 10 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scaly

• scaly anteater

Kids Definition

scaly

adjective

ˈskā-lē 

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

Medical Definition

scaly

adjective

ˈskā-lē 

scalier; scaliest

: covered with or composed of scale or scales

dry scaly skin

scaliness noun