Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Made of leather: "leathern" describes something that is composed of or made from leather, which is a material produced from animal hides.
   • Resembling leather: In some contexts, "leathern" can also mean having the appearance or texture of leather, though this usage is less common.

Usage Examples

• (An apron made of leather.)
• (A book cover made of leather.)
• (Gloves made of leather.)

Advanced Usage

• "leathern skin": a phrase used to describe skin that is tough, dry, or wrinkled, resembling leather.
  • The sailor's leathern skin was weathered by years at sea. (His skin was tough and leather-like from sun and wind.)

Variants and Related Words

• Leather (n): the material itself, made from animal hides.
  • The bag is made of high-quality leather. (The material.)
• Leathery (adj): having the texture or appearance of leather.
  • The steak was overcooked and became leathery. (Tough and chewy like leather.)
• Leatherette (n): a synthetic material designed to imitate leather.
  • The car seats are made of leatherette, not real leather. (Imitation leather.)

Synonyms

• Hide-bound: covered or made with animal hide.
• Coriaceous: having a leathery texture (formal, often used in botany).

Related Idioms

• (No common idioms directly use "leathern"; the related term "leather" appears in idioms such as "hell-bent for leather" meaning moving at great speed, or "to leather someone" meaning to beat them with a leather strap.)

Etymology Note

• "Leathern" is an archaic or literary adjective, derived from Old English . It is less common in modern English, where "leather" is often used as an attributive noun (e.g., "leather jacket") instead.