Meanings
plural skeuomorphisms · alternative skiamorphism
- countableuncountableThe incorporation of obsolete or skeuomorphic elements into a design, for familiarity or out of tradition, even though they no longer serve any functional purpose.
Skeuomorphism is not a thing of the past nor is it limited to traditional crafts. It is found today in countless articles being made from plastic for the first time.
1989, George Basalla, The Evolution of Technology, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN - countableuncountablecomputingA user interface style characterized by ornate use of photorealistic textures, shadows, and often glossy highlights, mimicking a three-dimensional render.
Antonyms: flat design
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA user interface style characterized by ornate use of photorealistic textures, shadows, and often glossy highlights, mimicking a three-dimensional render.
Origin
- Ancient Greekσκεῦος“implement”
- Englishskeuomorphism
From Ancient Greek σκεῦος (skeûos, “implement”) + -morphism, or skeuomorph + -ism.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Chinese Mandarin 擬物 /拟物
- 擬物 /拟物 (nǐwù)practice of incorporating obsolete or skeuomorphic elements into a design
French skeuomorphisme
- skeuomorphismepractice of incorporating obsolete or skeuomorphic elements into a design
Cite this entry
skeuomorphism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/skeuomorphism
“skeuomorphism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/skeuomorphism. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “skeuomorphism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/skeuomorphism.
Source: skeuomorphism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.