peeling

Everyday

1. Peeling is the -ing form of «peel»: taking the skin off fruit or vegetables, or a covering coming off. tree →
2. Peeling describes paint, wallpaper or skin that is coming off in thin strips or flakes. tree →
3. Peelings are the bits of skin you have peeled off fruit or vegetables. tree →

In the lessons

In the kitchen it is about preparing food («peeling potatoes») and kitchen safety with a peeler. In health it describes skin after sunburn. In stories peeling paint shows an old, uncared-for house. Phrases: «peeling potatoes», «peeling paint», «my skin is peeling», «potato peelings», «peeling off».

Examples

• I am peeling an orange for my lunch. tree →
• The old house had peeling paint and a broken gate. tree →
• After the sunburn my shoulders started peeling. tree →
• Put the potato peelings in the compost bin. tree →
• Peel away from your hand when you use a peeler. tree →
• The sticker kept peeling off my water bottle. tree →
• Mum and I were peeling carrots for the soup. tree →
• Then the old man blew the ashes from a smoking yam, and proceeded to remove the peeling. tree →

Note

«Peeling» as a noun for the bits is usually plural: peelings. Do not confuse «peel» with «peal» (the ringing of bells). Peeling skin after sunburn means the skin was damaged; wear sunscreen.