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Added 9 October 2026

excoriate

/ɪkˈskɔɹ.iˌeɪt/ verb

In Latin: excoriō Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about excoriate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Express strong disapproval of.
We condemn the racism in South Africa
Tear or wear off the skin or make sore by abrading.
This leash chafes the dog's neck

Origin

First attested in the first part of the 15ᵗʰ century, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English *excoriaten (only attested in its past participle), borrowed from Late Latin excoriātus perfect passive participle of excoriō (“to take the skin or hide off, flay, skin”), from ex- (“out off, from”) + corium (“hide, skin”) + -ō. Regular participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English, later archaic.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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