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Definition of keratin

keratin

/ˈkɛrətɪn/
ker · a · tin
Plural:keratins
•
Adjective:keratinous
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keratin Lexical Profile

keratin Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A tough, fibrous, insoluble protein that forms the primary structural component of hair, nails, feathers, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of skin in vertebrates.

Example

"Because human hair is composed primarily of keratin, many conditioning treatments use hydrolyzed proteins to strengthen damaged strands."

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'keratin' (the fibrous structural protein found in hair and nails) with 'carotene' (the orange photosynthetic pigment found in carrots) or 'creatine' (an organic compound that supplies energy to muscle cells).

• Rhymes for keratin

• Nearby Words

kepel
kepler
kepler falls
keratin
kerchief
kerchoo
kerfuffle

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-19th century from Ancient Greek 'keras' (genitive 'keratos'), meaning 'horn', combined with the chemical suffix '-in'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Keratin. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/keratin
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