subcutaneous

adjective

sub·​cu·​ta·​ne·​ous ˌsəb-kyu̇-ˈtā-nē-əs 

: being, living, occurring, or administered under the skin

subcutaneous parasites

subcutaneous tissues

subcutaneously adverb

Examples of subcutaneous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Visceral fat receives more blood flow due to its placement near organs and is more hormonally active than subcutaneous fat, Raji said. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024

But that subcutaneous layer, the part that fears and regrets and longs for a different past as much as for a different future, isn’t visible with Gallagher. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024

Another option mirrors that approach but with injections of specific semen proteins under your skin (a.k.a. subcutaneous immunotherapy). —Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Sep. 2024

Novo is also testing a subcutaneous form of amycretin that, like Wegovy, would be delivered by regular injection. —Robert Hart, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin subcutaneus, from Latin sub- + cutis skin — more at hide entry 2

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

subcutaneous

adjective

sub·​cu·​ta·​ne·​ous ˌsəb-kyu̇-ˈtā-nē-əs 

: being, living, occurring, or given under the skin

subcutaneous parasites

Medical Definition

subcutaneous

adjective

sub·​cu·​ta·​ne·​ous ˌsəb-kyu̇-ˈtā-nē-əs 

: being, living, used, or made under the skin

subcutaneous parasites

subcutaneously adverb