If the texture of something, for example someone's skin, is leathery, it is tough and hard, like leather.
His hair and beard are both untidy and his skin is quite leathery.
Synonyms: tough, hard, rough, hardened More Synonyms of leathery
leathery in British English
(ˈlɛðərɪ)
adjective
having the appearance or texture of leather, esp in toughness
Derived forms
leatheriness (ˈleatheriness)
noun
leathery in American English
(ˈlɛðəri)
adjective
like leather in appearance or texture; tough and flexible
Derived forms
leatheriness (ˈleatheriness)
noun
Examples of 'leathery' in a sentence
leathery
The leathery leaves turn green as they mature.
The Sun (2016)
Forms a spreading mass of deep green leathery fronds.
Bloom, Adrian Winter Garden Glory (1993)
The leaves are leathery and grow in pairs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Hands become thickened and leathery with excess skin.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It has a thick, slightly leathery green skin and is packed with flavour.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It has tapering, leathery leaves and white flowers held high above the leaves.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It has numerous bright blue or purple flowers in clusters at the top of stiff stalks and large leathery leaves at the bottom.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In that time the skin looks brown, hard and leathery.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The other two are leathery, empty skins.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It has tougher, more leathery fronds than most other ferns.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
His skin looks leathery from years in the sun - and the film roles have dried up too.
The Sun (2012)
But it made a good story -- the solemn and polite bridge four trying to eat the raw leathery leaves.
Thomas Blaikie Blaikie's Guide to Modern Manners (2005)
I bought some chives at a plant fair, but they are tough and leathery.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Its slender green stems and leathery leaves sprawl energetically over the ground, and gardeners greatly dislike it because it is very difficult to pull up.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Its tough, glossy, leathery leaves make it ideal for coastal hedging.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Trim the shallot ends, use scissors to cut down the leathery skin, then carefully peel to remove from the soft shallots.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A blue face followed by brown, leathery skin - is it worth it?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
(adjective)
Definition
looking or feeling like leather, esp. in toughness
His hair is untidy and his skin is quite leathery.
Synonyms
tough
tough leather boots and trousers
hard
He stamped his feet on the hard floor.
rough
Rugby's a rough game.
hardened
rugged
enjoying rugged sports like mountain biking
wrinkled
durable
Fine bone china is strong and durable.
leathern (archaic)
coriaceous
leatherlike
Additional synonyms
in the sense of durable
Definition
strong and long-lasting
Fine bone china is strong and durable.
Synonyms
hard-wearing,
strong,
tough,
sound,
substantial,
reliable,
resistant,
sturdy,
long-lasting,
well made,
imperishable,
made to last
in the sense of hard
Definition
firm, solid, or rigid
He stamped his feet on the hard floor.
Synonyms
tough,
strong,
firm,
solid,
stiff,
compact,
rigid,
resistant,
dense,
compressed,
stony,
impenetrable,
inflexible,
unyielding,
rocklike
in the sense of rough
Definition
(of work etc.) requiring physical rather than mental effort