exfoliate

verb

ex·​fo·​li·​ate (ˌ)eks-ˈfō-lē-ˌāt 

exfoliated; exfoliating

transitive verb

1

: to cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters

2

: to remove the surface of in scales or laminae

3

: to spread or extend by or as if by opening out leaves

intransitive verb

1

: to split into or give off scales, laminae, or body cells

2

: to come off in thin layers or scales

3

: to grow by or as if by producing or unfolding leaves

exfoliation

(ˌ)eks-ˌfō-lē-ˈā-shən 

noun

exfoliative

eks-ˈfō-lē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• molt
• shed
• slip
• slough
• sluff

Examples of exfoliate in a Sentence

a soap that promises to help me exfoliate all that dry, flaky skin I've apparently been carrying around

Recent Examples on the Web

The serum gently exfoliates dead skin to put an end to dullness. —Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2024

Exfoliating scrub: To exfoliate (remove dead skin cells), add sea salt and essential oil to rice water to make a scrub, rub it into your skin, and rinse it off. Masks: Soak cotton pads in rice water and apply them to your face for 15 minutes. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024

Its silicone bristles are antibacterial and gently exfoliate skin for a softer, smoother feel post-wash. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 2 Dec. 2024

Dove's exfoliating body wash on Amazon recharges, energizes and illuminates your skin. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin exfoliatus, past participle of exfoliare to strip of leaves, from Latin ex- + folium leaf — more at blade

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Medical Definition

exfoliate

verb

ex·​fo·​li·​ate -ˈfō-lē-ˌāt 

exfoliated; exfoliating

transitive verb

1

: to cast off in scales or laminae

2

: to remove the surface of in scales or laminae

3

: to shed (teeth) by exfoliation

intransitive verb

1

: to split into or give off scales, laminae, or body cells

2

: to come off in thin layers or scales : scale off