Definition

Having a texture or appearance similar to leather, often tough and hard.

Example

The old man's skin was leathery from years of sun exposure.

Conversation

I just bought a new jacket that has a really leathery feel to it.

That sounds cool! Is it comfortable to wear?

Yeah, it's surprisingly soft despite the leathery texture.

Nice! I love jackets that look tough but feel good.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Leathery → It is formed from "leather" (from Old English *leðer*, meaning animal hide) and "-y" (a suffix used to form adjectives indicating a characteristic). The word "leathery" describes something that has the characteristics or qualities of leather, typically being tough and flexible.

Memory Tip

Think of 'leather' as the material that is tough and flexible, and remember that 'leathery' means something that has those same qualities.

Visually Confused Words