1. The thin, papery outer layers of an onion bulb.
Usage: Usually plural; refers to the dried, translucent layers that cover the bulb.
2. A thin, lightweight paper with a smooth finish, used for airmail letters and documents.
Usage: Also called onionskin paper; common in printing and stationery.

Examples

• She peeled away the papery onionskins to reveal the white bulb underneath.
• The recipe called for removing the onionskins before chopping the onion.
• He wrote his letter on onionskins to keep the weight down for international mail.
• The old airmail envelopes were made of onionskins, which were much lighter than regular paper.
• Onionskins are so delicate they crumble easily between your fingers.
• The stationery store sold pads of onionskins for formal correspondence.