peel
peel
Peel (verb) means to remove the skin or outer layer from something. Example: “She peeled the potatoes before boiling them.”
verb
1
To remove the skin or outer layer from something.
"She peeled the potatoes before boiling them."
"Could you peel a few carrots for the soup, please?"
"He sat on the step and peeled an orange for his sister."
2
To come away in strips or flakes, especially of skin or paint.
"His sunburned skin started to peel after a few days."
"The paint on the old garden gate has begun to peel."
"Wallpaper will peel away from the wall if the room is too damp."
noun
1
The skin or outer layer of a fruit or vegetable.
"Don't throw away the lemon peel — it's great for zesting."
"Banana peel on the pavement can be surprisingly slippery."
"She grated a little orange peel into the cake mixture."
How to use peel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo strip off an outer layer (like skin from fruit), or the outer layer itself.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "peal" (a loud ringing sound, as in "a peal of bells") — identical pronunciation, different meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
peel an orange
peel off
banana peel
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Word forms
- Plural
- peels
- Third person singular
- peels
- Past tense
- peeled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the potatoes before boiling them.
Etymology
From Old English and Old French roots meaning "to strip the hair or skin off," ultimately from Latin pilus, "hair." A word-relative of "pill."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for peel
See all rhymes for peel →Frequently asked questions
What does “peel” mean?
The word “peel” means to remove the skin or outer layer from something. In plain terms, to strip off an outer layer (like skin from fruit), or the outer layer itself.
How do you pronounce “peel”?
“Peel” is pronounced peel (/piːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “peel” in a sentence?
Here is “peel” used in a sentence: “She peeled the potatoes before boiling them.”
What is another word for “peel”?
Words with a similar meaning to “peel” include Peel Region, Region of Peel and Regional Municipality of Peel.
What part of speech is “peel”?
Depending on how it is used, “peel” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “peel” come from?
The word “peel” comes from Latin. From Old English and Old French roots meaning "to strip the hair or skin off," ultimately from Latin pilus, "hair." A word-relative of "pill.".
Is “peel” a common word?
“Peel” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “peel” have?
“Peel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to remove the skin or outer layer from something.
What is the difference between peel and skin when talking about fruit?
Peel and skin both refer to the outer layer of a fruit or vegetable, and the words are largely interchangeable, though "peel" is more often used for citrus fruits and "skin" for items like apples or potatoes. Both terms describe the same kind of protective outer covering.
What does it mean when paint or skin starts to peel?
When paint or skin peels, it comes away in strips or flakes rather than being removed all at once by a person. This intransitive use describes a natural process of separation rather than a deliberate action.
Is peel only used for fruit?
No, peel is also used for removing the outer layer from vegetables and for describing paint or skin coming away in strips or flakes. The word applies broadly to any outer layer being removed or naturally coming off.
