peel
To take the thin outside part off something, like the skin of fruit or a sticker.
To remove the outer skin, rind, or other thin covering from something, especially fruit, vegetables, or labels.
When a thin outside layer, like paint or skin, slowly comes off in small pieces.
To come away from a surface in thin strips or small pieces, especially because of age, heat, or damage.
The outside skin of fruit or vegetables, usually after you take it off.
The thin outer skin or rind of a fruit or vegetable, especially after it has been removed.
To leave a place very fast, often in a car that makes a loud sound.
To move away from a place very quickly and suddenly, especially in a car that makes a loud noise from its wheels.
A flat tool with a long handle that you use to put pizza or bread in a hot oven and take it out.
A flat, shovel-like kitchen tool with a long handle, used for placing bread or pizza into an oven and taking it out.
The action of taking the outside part off something.
An act or process of removing the outer skin or layer from something.
- Base: peel
- Plural: peel, peels
- Base: peel
- 3rd Person Singular: peels
- Present Participle: peeling
- Past: peeled
keep your eyes peeled
1Watch carefully for something
To look very carefully for something, and not stop watching.
- Keep your eyes peeled for a gas station; we’re almost out of fuel.
- The teacher told the class to keep their eyes peeled for any mistakes in the text.
- I'll keep my eyes peeled for a cheap apartment for you.
peel away
1Pull layer away from surface
To slowly pull a thin cover or layer away from something.
- Peel away the tape to open the box.
- The poster was old and the corners were peeling away from the wall.
- She carefully peeled away the foil to check the food.
peel back
1Fold layer back to uncover
To lift the edge of something thin and fold it back so you can see what is under it.
- Peel back the plastic cover and stir the soup.
- He peeled back the carpet to check for damage.
- She peeled back the bandage to clean the cut.
peel off
1Remove layer or clothing
To remove clothes or another thin layer from something by pulling it away.
- He peeled off his wet socks and put them by the fire.
- One of the jets peeled off from the formation.
- Peel off the plastic film before heating the meal.
- A few protesters peeled off from the march and went home.
- She spent the weekend peeling off the old wallpaper in long strips.
- The lead car peeled off at the next exit.
peel out
1Drive off fast with squealing tires
When a car or bike suddenly goes very fast from a stop, making a loud high sound from the wheels.
- The teenagers peeled out of the parking lot when the rain started.
- He threw the bags in the trunk and peeled out.
- The driver peeled out at the green light, startling the pedestrians.
peel yourself away (from something)
1Force yourself to leave something
To make yourself leave something you enjoy, even though you want to stay there.
- I finally peeled myself away from the TV and went to bed.
- She had to peel herself away from the party to catch the last train.
- He could barely peel himself away from his phone during dinner.