skinner

noun

skin·​ner ˈski-nər How to pronounce skinner (audio)
1
a
: one that deals in skins, pelts, or hides
b
: one that removes, cures, or dresses skins
2
3
: a driver of draft animals : teamster

Examples of skinner in a Sentence

he's proven himself to be a skinner of guys who are a lot smarter than you, so be wary of any deals you make with him
Recent Examples on the Web These girls are not professional animal skinners. Todd Plummer, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Apr. 2023 Another daughter started working there as a membrane skinner this fall, attracted by the starting wage of $17 an hour, which was higher than her job at a medical equipment company. Michael Grabell, ProPublica, 21 Dec. 2020 Also, any fur skinner worth his or her salt invests an incredible amount of time and effort to ensure that the animals are taken cleanly, the pelts are properly handled, and that the yield from that animal is maximized. Tyler Freel, Outdoor Life, 18 Nov. 2020 Abelo the skinner and Gosamu who carried the water and Jemusi who toted the camera and Amoni who smoked too many cigarettes and carried as little as possible ran a dead heat to the riverbank. Warren Page, Field & Stream, 13 Nov. 2020 Both takedown rifles are fitted with skinner sights and come in a padded case. Richard Mann, Field & Stream, 25 Mar. 2020 For more dedicated skinners, the points and profile may curve slightly or significantly, which makes the blade easier to use when skinning out difficult hides. Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 27 Jan. 2020 The milliner Stephen Jones said the same before a show of Edward Crutchley’s work, held inside a medieval guild hall devoted to London’s skinners, and most notable for its hats. New York Times, 6 Jan. 2020 The skinner’s hook cuts from the inside out for field dressing. John Goodspeed, ExpressNews.com, 12 Sep. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skinner.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of skinner was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near skinner

Cite this Entry

“Skinner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skinner. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

skinner

noun
skin·​ner ˈskin-ər How to pronounce skinner (audio)
1
: one that removes and processes or deals in skins, pelts, or hides
2
: a driver of draft animals
especially : mule skinner

Biographical Definition

Skinner 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

Skin·​ner ˈski-nər How to pronounce Skinner (audio)
B(urrhus) F(rederic) 1904–1990 American psychologist
Skinnerian adjective

Skinner

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Cornelia Otis 1901–1979 daughter of Otis Skinner American actress and writer

Skinner

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Otis 1858–1942 American actor
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