acne

noun

ac·​ne ˈak-nē How to pronounce acne (audio)
: a disorder of the skin that is marked by blemishes (such as whiteheads, blackheads, or pustules) especially on the face, chest, and shoulders and is caused by inflammation of sebaceous glands and hair follicles
especially : a form found chiefly in adolescents
acned adjective
an acned teenager
acned skin

Examples of acne in a Sentence

a teenager with bad acne
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It is not recommended to use topical steroids for extended periods to avoid possible side effects like acne, skin thinning, and discoloration. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2025 The new skin-specific products are more made-to-measure than bespoke, offering routines tailored to fighting acne, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 31 July 2025 Unlike Huntington’s disease and Tay-Sachs disease, there are no major genetic markers for many cancers or a truly definitive set for heart disease, let alone for intelligence, acne, body-mass index or longevity. Arthur Caplan & James Tabery, Scientific American, 28 July 2025 Talk with a dermatologist before experimenting with a home remedy for acne. Sherri Gordon, Health, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for acne

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin acnē, acna, borrowed from Late Greek aknḗ "eruption on the face," manuscript variant of akmḗ, literally, "point" — more at acme

First Known Use

1743, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acne was in 1743

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Acne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acne. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

acne

noun
ac·​ne ˈak-nē How to pronounce acne (audio)
: a disorder of the skin caused by inflammation of skin glands and hair follicles and marked by pimples especially on the face

Medical Definition

acne

noun
ac·​ne ˈak-nē How to pronounce acne (audio)
: a disorder of the skin that is marked by blemishes (such as whiteheads, blackheads, or pustules) especially on the face, chest, and shoulders and is caused by inflammation of sebaceous glands and hair follicles
especially : a form found chiefly in adolescents : acne vulgaris
acned adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on acne

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