adj
scaly
SKAY-lee
Scaly (adj) means Covered with scales, or having a rough, flaky surface like scales. Example: “The snake's scaly skin felt cool and dry.”
adj
1
Covered with scales, or having a rough, flaky surface like scales.
"a scaly fish a scaly stem"
"The snake's scaly skin felt cool and dry."
"Her elbows were dry and scaly in the winter."
"Like scaly carp and feathered swan To nature's world we do belong."
— “Mayhem Maybe”, Mayhem Maybe (1988)
How to use scaly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a surface covered in scales, or skin that has become dry and flaky.
Common pairings
scaly skin
scaly patches
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like scaly.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- scalies
- Comparative
- scalier
- Superlative
- scaliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The snake's _____ skin felt cool and dry.
Etymology
From "scale" plus the adjective ending "-y."
Synonyms
View more →
lepidote
leprose
scaled
scarious
squamate
squamated
squamiferous
squamoid
furfuraceous
squamous
squamulose
squarrose
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for scaly
See all rhymes for scaly →Frequently asked questions
What does “scaly” mean?
The word “scaly” means covered with scales, or having a rough, flaky surface like scales. In plain terms, describes a surface covered in scales, or skin that has become dry and flaky.
How do you pronounce “scaly”?
“Scaly” is pronounced SKAY-lee (/ˈskeɪli/ in IPA).
How do you use “scaly” in a sentence?
Here is “scaly” used in a sentence: “The snake's scaly skin felt cool and dry.”
What is another word for “scaly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “scaly” include scaled, scarious, squamate, squamated, squamiferous and squamoid.
What is the opposite of “scaly”?
The opposite of “scaly” — its antonyms — are unscaly, esquamulose, nonscaly and scaleless.
What part of speech is “scaly”?
“Scaly” is an adjective.
