1 peel
Pronounced:
/ˈpi:l/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
peels; peeled; peel·ingMeaning:
1 [+ obj] : to remove the skin from (a fruit, vegetable, etc.) ▪ peel an apple ▪ peel the cucumbers
2 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] : to remove (a covering, shell, etc.) from something ▪ They peeled back the sheet to display the new sculpture. —often + from ▪ An animal had peeled the bark from the tree. ▪ We had to peel the wallpaper from the wall. —often + off ▪ (informal) Guests peeled off [=took off] their wet coats by the door. ▪ They peeled the old wallpaper off.
3 [no obj] a : to come off in pieces ▪ The paint is peeling (off). ▪ She got sunburned and the skin on her back is peeling (off). b : to lose an outer layer of skin, bark, etc. ▪ She got sunburned and her back is peeling.
2 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] : to remove (a covering, shell, etc.) from something ▪ They peeled back the sheet to display the new sculpture. —often + from ▪ An animal had peeled the bark from the tree. ▪ We had to peel the wallpaper from the wall. —often + off ▪ (informal) Guests peeled off [=took off] their wet coats by the door. ▪ They peeled the old wallpaper off.
3 [no obj] a : to come off in pieces ▪ The paint is peeling (off). ▪ She got sunburned and the skin on her back is peeling (off). b : to lose an outer layer of skin, bark, etc. ▪ She got sunburned and her back is peeling.
keep your eyes peeled —see 1eye
peel off
[phrasal verb] informal : to turn and go away from something quickly ▪ One of the jets peeled off from the formation and headed back.
peel out
[phrasal verb] US informal : to speed away from a place in a car, on a motorcycle, etc. ▪ Dirt and gravel flew as he peeled out into the street.
—peel·er noun plural peel·ers [count] ▪ a potato/vegetable peeler