peel

[piːl]

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A peel is a layer that's on the outside of something, usually something edible like a fruit or a vegetable.

When we talk about peeling food, it means removing the outer layer to get to what's inside. So, when you buy apples at the supermarket, they might have a thin brown skin that you need to take off before eating them - that's the peel! You can also use this word for other things like onions or garlic. It's an essential step in cooking because the skin of these foods can be a bit tough and unpleasant to eat. If you're preparing meals at home, peeling is something you'll do quite often.

How common is "peel"?

Word peel is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

noun

(usually uncountable) The skin or outer layer of a fruit, vegetable, etc.
The action of peeling away from a formation.
A cosmetic preparation designed to remove dead skin or to exfoliate.

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verb

To remove the skin or outer covering of.
Example: I sat by my sister's bed, peeling oranges for her.
To remove something from the outer or top layer of.
Example: I peeled (the skin from) a banana and ate it hungrily.
To become detached, come away, especially in flakes or strips; to shed skin in such a way.
Example: I had been out in the sun too long, and my nose was starting to peel.
To remove one's clothing.
Example: The children peeled by the side of the lake and jumped in.
To move, separate (off or away).
Example: The scrum-half peeled off and made for the touchlines.