noun / verb

tattoo

ta-TOO/tæˈtuː/

A permanent design made by inserting pigment into skin.

The artist adds pigment to the botanical tattoo on the client's forearm.

Close-up of a tattoo artist using a tattoo machine to add ink to a botanical design on a client's forearm, making the skin design and needle-based process visible together.

Etymology

tattooTahitianpuncture; mark made on skin

A Polynesian noun such as Tahitian tatau, “puncture, mark made on skin,” connects the finished design with the punctures used to create it.

In context

WIRED13:54

do is just remove the outer layer of skin. The company would probably send us a biohazard shipping container so we could mail that top layer of skin with the tattoo off for preservation

Mortician Answers MORE Dead Body Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

More examples

The artist tattoos a rose on his arm.
Her sleeves cover the tattoos on her wrists.
He had his daughter's name tattooed on his chest.

Forms

tattoo · tattoos · tattooed · tattooing

tattooist noun — A person who creates permanent skin designs.

Similar words

ink: Ink informally refers to tattoos, often as a group.
body art: Body art also includes piercings and temporary skin decorations.