keratinization

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/kəˌɹætɪnaɪˈzeɪʃən/

noun

The process by which cells from beneath the skin are converted to hair and nails (made of keratin).

Similar
keratinisation
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Meanings

nounkeratinization (countable and uncountable, plural keratinizations)

plural keratinizations

  1. countableuncountableThe process by which cells from beneath the skin are converted to hair and nails (made of keratin).

Synonyms & antonyms

nounorganic process by which keratin is deposited in cells and the cells become horny (as in nails and hair)

Similar
keratinisation
Broader
organic processbiological process

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From keratin + -ization.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Japanese 角質化
  • 角質化 (kakushitsuka)the process in which cells are converted to hair and nails
Polish keratynizacja
  • keratynizacjathe process in which cells are converted to hair and nails
Spanish queratinización
  • queratinizaciónthe process in which cells are converted to hair and nails

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

ankeritization
Cite this entry
APA

keratinization. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keratinization

MLA

“keratinization.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keratinization. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “keratinization,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keratinization.

Source: keratinization on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.