scaly

IPA/ˈskeɪli/
IPA/ˈskeɪli/

scaly — adjective

  • scalypositive
  • scaliercomparative
  • scaliestsuperlative

1. describes skin that feels rough because small, dry pieces are falling off its su

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describes skin that feels rough because small, dry pieces are falling off its surface, often due to cold weather, a medical condition such as eczema, or contact with chemicals

例句

Isabela's hands became dry and scaly after weeks of washing dishes without gloves.

scaly + body part (hands) in predicative position

The doctor prescribed a special cream for Caleb's scaly patches on his elbows.

attributive use: scaly + noun (patches)

同義詞
  • flaky

    more general; can describe paint, pastry, or soil, not just skin

  • rough

    broader meaning — describes any uneven texture, not specifically flaking skin

  • peeling

    action-oriented; focuses on the process rather than the texture

反義詞
  • smooth

    the opposite of rough or scaly texture

文法句型

scaly + noun (attributive)

be/look/feel + scaly (predicative)

用法筆記

Frequently used with body-part nouns such as 'scalp', 'elbows', 'knees', and 'hands'. Often pairs with 'dry' in the fixed phrase 'dry and scaly'.

常見錯誤

❌My skin feels scale in winter.
✅My skin feels scaly in winter.
💡'Scaly' is the adjective form; 'scale' is a noun.

2. describes the inside of pipes, kettles, boilers, and similar containers where he

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes the inside of pipes, kettles, boilers, and similar containers where heating water has left a chalky mineral crust coating the surface

例句

Adina's kettle had a thick scaly layer inside from years of boiling hard water.

collocation: scaly layer

The plumber said the scaly buildup inside the pipes was reducing water flow.

collocation: scaly buildup

同義詞
  • encrusted

    suggests a hard, thick covering that may or may not be mineral

  • calcified

    technical term specifically for calcium-based mineral buildup

反義詞

文法句型

scaly + noun (attributive)

become/get + scaly (predicative)

用法筆記

Commonly describes the inside of kettles, boilers, and hot-water pipes. The material itself is called 'limescale' or 'mineral deposits'.

常見錯誤

❌The pipe is scale inside.
✅The pipe is scaly inside.
💡Use the adjective form 'scaly'; 'scale' is the noun for the deposit.

3. having a body covered with the small, hard, overlapping plates that fish, snakes

3.形容詞B1
釋義

having a body covered with the small, hard, overlapping plates that fish, snakes, lizards, and similar creatures naturally grow as part of their outer layer

例句

Mizuki gently touched the scaly skin of the snake at the zoo's reptile house.

collocation: scaly skin (of animals)

The fish's scaly body shone silver as Rania pulled it from the river.

attributive use: scaly + noun (body)

同義詞
  • scaled

    similar meaning but less common; 'scaled' sometimes implies a design or measurement rather than animal scales

  • rough

    broader — describes any uneven touch, not specific to scales

反義詞
  • smooth

    the opposite of a rough, scale-covered surface

  • bare

    suggests a surface without any covering, including scales

文法句型

scaly + noun (attributive)

be/look + scaly (predicative)

常見錯誤

❌The fish has a scale body.
✅The fish has a scaly body.
💡'Scaly' is the adjective meaning covered with scales; 'scale' alone is a noun.