1. To remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, often using a scrub or chemical product
   "She exfoliates her face twice a week for smoother skin"
    
2. Spread by opening the leaves of
   "The botanist carefully exfoliated the rare plant specimen"
    
3. Cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters
   "The old paint began to exfoliate from the wall"
    
4. Remove the surface, in scales or laminae
   "She exfoliated her skin to remove dead cells"
    
5. Come off in a very thin piece
   "The old paint exfoliated from the wall"

Derived forms: exfoliated, exfoliates, exfoliating

Type of: break, break away, break off, cast, cast off, chip, chip off, come off, drop, lose, open, peel off, shed, snap off, spread, spread out, throw off, unfold

Encyclopedia: Exfoliate