sheepskin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral, formal (when referring to academic degrees)
Quick answer
What does “sheepskin” mean?
The hide or pelt of a sheep, especially when tanned with the wool still on.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The hide or pelt of a sheep, especially when tanned with the wool still on.
A diploma or certificate (from the traditional use of sheepskin parchment); an item, such as a coat or rug, made from a sheep's skin.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use literal sense identically. Figurative 'diploma' sense slightly more common in US, but archaic in both.
Connotations
Material sense evokes warmth, rustic tradition, or luxury. Diploma sense connotes old-fashioned academia.
Frequency
Low frequency; mostly in specific contexts (e.g., fashion, traditional crafts, historical references).
Grammar
How to Use “sheepskin” in a Sentence
made of ~lined with ~a ~ of (e.g., a sheepskin of parchment)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sheepskin” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sheepskin lining kept her feet incredibly warm.
American English
- He wore a sheepskin vest over his flannel shirt.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in niche sectors like luxury apparel or interior design.
Academic
Historical reference to diplomas; otherwise in material science or textile studies.
Everyday
Mostly for describing coats, rugs, or car seat covers.
Technical
Used in leatherworking, tanning, and textile manufacturing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sheepskin”
- Using 'sheepskin' to mean any woolen fabric (it must be the skin with wool attached).
- Using the 'diploma' sense in formal modern contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are similar but not identical. Lambskin comes from a younger sheep and is typically softer and finer, while sheepskin is from an adult sheep and is thicker.
It would be understood as a humorous or old-fashioned reference. In formal contexts, use 'diploma' or 'degree'.
Primarily for clothing (coats, boots, gloves), rugs, and as a natural lining for seats and baby products due to its insulating and moisture-wicking properties.
This is a subject of debate. It is a by-product of the meat industry. Ethical concerns relate to animal welfare and farming practices, leading some to prefer synthetic alternatives.
The hide or pelt of a sheep, especially when tanned with the wool still on.
Sheepskin is usually neutral, formal (when referring to academic degrees) in register.
Sheepskin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃiːp.skɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃiːp.skɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “earn one's sheepskin (get a diploma)”
- “a sheepskin on the wall (a displayed diploma)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SHEEP + SKIN = literally, the skin of a sheep. Think of a warm, woolly sheepskin rug.
Conceptual Metaphor
MATERIAL FOR STATUS (Sheepskin diploma as a tangible symbol of education).
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative, dated sense, what can 'sheepskin' refer to?