# peel

> English word · Verb · IPA /piːl/ · frequency rank #9,644

## Definitions
1. To remove the skin or outer covering of.
2. To remove something from the outer or top layer of.
3. To become detached, come away, especially in flakes or strips; to shed skin in such a way.
4. To remove one's clothing.
5. To move, separate (off or away).

## Etymology
From Middle English pelen, from Old English pilian and Old French peler, pellier; both from Latin pilō, pilāre (“to remove hair from, depilate”), from pilus (“hair”). Doublet of pill.

## Easily confused with
- **PL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pl)
- **per** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-per)
- **pet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pet)
- **pen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pen)
- **pie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pie)
- **ppl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-ppl)
- **Poe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-poe)
- **pep** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pep)
- **peg** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-peg)
- **pol** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pol)
- **pew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pew)
- **pes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pes)
- **PEI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pei)
- **PPE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-ppe)
- **Pil** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pil)
- **PSL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-psl)
- **pye** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pye)
- **pull** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pull)
- **pool** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-pool)
- **Phil** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peel-vs-phil)

## Common misspellings (4)
`epel`, `peell`, `pel`, `ppeel`

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