leathery

Everyday

1. Leathery means tough, thick and dry like leather. tree →
2. Leathery skin is rough and wrinkled, often from lots of sun and wind. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, some leaves are leathery to save water, such as holly and many desert plants; turtle and reptile eggs can have leathery shells. In stories, a sailor or farmer has a leathery face from years outdoors. In cooking, meat cooked too long becomes leathery and hard to chew. Phrases: «leathery leaves», «leathery skin», «leathery wings» (of bats and pterosaurs).

Examples

• Holly has dark, leathery leaves. tree →
• The old fisherman had a leathery face. tree →
• Bats have leathery wings. tree →
• Turtle eggs have leathery shells. tree →
• The steak was overcooked and leathery. tree →
• Lizards have tough, leathery skin. tree →
• Desert plants often have leathery leaves to keep in water. tree →
• The pterodactyl spread its leathery wings. tree →

Note

Built from leather + y. Comparative: more leathery is more common than «leatherier». Leathery means «like leather», not «made of leather».