# scaly

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈskeɪli/ · frequency rank #36,750

## Definitions
1. Covered or abounding with scales.
2. Composed of scales lying over each other.
3. Resembling scales, laminae, or layers.
4. low, mean.

## Etymology
From Middle English scali, skaly. By surface analysis, scale + -y.

## Easily confused with
- **sly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-sly)
- **stay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-stay)
- **seal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-seal)
- **scan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-scan)
- **scam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-scam)
- **scar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-scar)
- **sway** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-sway)
- **slay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-slay)
- **shay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-shay)
- **scat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-scat)
- **small** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-small)
- **shall** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-shall)
- **silly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-silly)
- **scary** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-scary)
- **scare** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-scare)
- **seals** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-seals)
- **stall** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-stall)
- **scars** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-scars)
- **shady** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-shady)
- **shale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaly-vs-shale)

## Common misspellings (8)
`csaly`, `sacly`, `scally`, `scalyy`, `scayl`, `sccaly`, `sclay`, `sscaly`

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