# epidermis

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌɛp.ɪˈdɜː.mɪs/ · frequency rank #41,109

## Definitions
1. The outer, protective layer of the skin of vertebrates, covering the dermis
2. The similar outer layer of cells in invertebrates and plants

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin epidermis, from Ancient Greek ἐπιδερμίς (epidermís), ἐπί (epí, “on top of”) + δέρμα (dérma, “skin”). Equivalent to epi- + dermis.

## Easily confused with
- **epidemic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/epidemic-vs-epidermis)
- **epidermal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/epidermal-vs-epidermis)

## Common misspellings (13)
`eipdermis`, `epdiermis`, `epiddermis`, `epidemris`, `epiderims`, `epidermiss`, `epidermmis`, `epidermsi`, `epiderrmis`, `epidremis`, `epiedrmis`, `eppidermis`, `peidermis`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/epidermis