1. the peeling off in flakes or scales of bark or dead skin - exfoliation is increased by sunburn • Derivationally related forms: exfoliate • Hypernyms: organic phenomenon 2. a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin • Syn: scale, scurf • Derivationally related forms: exfoliate • Hypernyms: bit, chip, flake, fleck, scrap • Hyponyms: dander, dandruff