Hide vs. Leather: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 20, 2024
Hide is the raw, unprocessed skin of an animal, while leather is the processed and treated hide, made durable and used for various products. Hide is untreated, whereas leather is tanned and finished.
Key Differences
Hide refers to the raw skin of an animal, typically from large animals like cows, horses, and buffalo. It is the untreated state of the skin, still possessing hair and natural oils. Leather, on the other hand, is the result of processing and treating hide through a method called tanning. Tanning converts the raw hide into a durable and flexible material that can be used for a wide range of products, including clothing, accessories, furniture, and more.
Hide is often used in its raw form for various traditional purposes, such as making rawhide products or as a covering for shelters. It retains its natural properties and is not resistant to decomposition. Leather is valued for its durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatility. It can be dyed, embossed, and finished in various ways to suit different applications.
Hide is the raw, unprocessed animal skin, while leather is the processed and treated form of hide, made durable and suitable for a wide range of uses. The transformation from hide to leather involves a complex tanning process that enhances the material's properties and usability.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Raw, unprocessed animal skin
Processed and treated hide
Processing
None, in its natural state
Tanned and finished
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Durability
Not durable, prone to decomposition
Durable, resistant to decay
Uses
Traditional uses, rawhide products
Clothing, accessories, furniture, etc.
Appearance
Retains hair and natural oils
Hair and oils removed, can be dyed/finished
Hide and Leather Definitions
Hide
Skin still possessing hair and natural oils.
The cow hide was used to make traditional drums.
Leather
Processed and treated animal hide.
The leather jacket was soft and durable.
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Hide
To put or keep out of sight or away from notice
Hid the money in a sock.
Leather
Material made durable through tanning.
Leather shoes are known for their longevity.
Hide
To prevent the disclosure or recognition of; conceal
Tried to hide the facts.
Leather
Used in clothing, accessories, and furniture.
The leather sofa added a touch of elegance to the room.
Hide
To cut off from sight; cover up
Clouds hid the stars.
Leather
Can be dyed, embossed, and finished in various ways.
The artisan crafted a beautifully embossed leather wallet.
Hide
To avert (one's gaze), especially in shame or grief.
Leather
Resistant to decay and wear.
The leather saddle remained in excellent condition for years.
Hide
To keep oneself out of sight or notice.
Leather
The dressed or tanned hide of an animal.
Hide
To seek refuge or respite
"no place to hide from boredom or anger or loneliness" (Matt Teague).
Leather
Any of various articles or parts made of dressed or tanned hide, such as a boot or strap.
Hide
To beat severely; flog.
Leather
The flap of a dog's ear.
Hide
The skin of an animal, especially the thick tough skin or pelt of a large animal.
Leather
To cover wholly or in part with the dressed or tanned hide of an animal.
Hide
An old English measure of land, usually the amount held adequate for one free family and its dependents.
Leather
(Informal) To beat with a strap made of hide.
Hide
(transitive) To put (something) in a place where it will be harder to discover or out of sight.
He hides his magazines under the bed.
The politicians were accused of keeping information hidden from the public.
Leather
Made of, relating to, or resembling dressed or tanned animal hide.
Hide
(intransitive) To put oneself in a place where one will be harder to find or out of sight.
Leather
(Slang) Of or relating to the wearing of leather, or patronized by people who wear leather, especially as a sexual fetish
A leather bar.
Hide
To beat with a whip made from hide.
Leather
A tough material produced from the skin of animals, by tanning or similar process, used e.g. for clothing.
Hide
(countable) The skin of an animal.
Leather
A piece of the above used for polishing.
Hide
The human skin.
Leather
(colloquial) A cricket ball or football.
Hide
One's own life or personal safety, especially when in peril.
To save his own hide
Better watch his hide
Leather
(plural: leathers) clothing made from the skin of animals, often worn by motorcycle riders.
Hide
(countable) mainly British A covered structure from which hunters, birdwatchers, etc can observe animals without scaring them.
Leather
(baseball) A good defensive play
Hide
A secret room for hiding oneself or valuables; a hideaway.
Leather
(boxing) A punch.
Hide
(countable) A covered structure to which a pet animal can retreat, as is recommended for snakes.
Leather
The skin.
Hide
(historical) A unit of land and tax assessment of varying size, originally as intended to support one household with dependents.
Leather
Made of leather.
Hide
To conceal, or withdraw from sight; to put out of view; to secrete.
A city that is set on an hill can not be hid.
If circumstances lead me, I will findWhere truth is hid.
Leather
Referring to one who wears leather clothing (motorcycle jacket, chaps over 501 jeans, boots), especially as a sign of sadomasochistic homosexuality.
Hide
To withhold from knowledge; to keep secret; to refrain from avowing or confessing.
Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate.
Leather
(transitive) To cover with leather.
Hide
To remove from danger; to shelter.
In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion.
Leather
(transitive) To strike forcefully.
Hide
To lie concealed; to keep one's self out of view; to be withdrawn from sight or observation.
Bred to disguise, in public 'tis you hide.
Leather
(transitive) To spank or beat with a leather belt or strap.
Hide
To flog; to whip.
Leather
The skin of an animal, or some part of such skin, with the hair removed, and tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed for use; also, dressed hides, collectively.
Hide
An abode or dwelling.
Leather
The skin.
Hide
The skin of an animal, either raw or dressed; - generally applied to the undressed skins of the larger domestic animals, as oxen, horses, etc.
Leather
To beat, as with a thong of leather.
Hide
The human skin; - so called in contempt.
O tiger's heart, wrapped in a woman's hide!
Leather
Of, pertaining to or made of leather; consisting of leather; as, a black leather jacket.
Hide
The dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal)
Leather
An animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
Hide
Body covering of a living animal
Hide
Prevent from being seen or discovered;
Muslim women hide their faces
Hide the money
Hide
Be or go into hiding; keep out of sight, as for protection and safety;
Probably his horse would be close to where he was hiding
She is hiding out in a cabin in Montana
Hide
Cover as if with a shroud;
The origins of this civilization are shrouded in mystery
Hide
Make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing;
A hidden message
A veiled threat
Hide
Raw, unprocessed animal skin.
The hunter brought back the deer hide to cure it.
Hide
Untreated skin, often from large animals.
The hide from the buffalo was thick and tough.
Hide
Initial material before processing into leather.
The tannery received the raw hide for treatment.
Hide
Used for various traditional purposes.
Native tribes used hide to construct their shelters.
FAQs
What animals are hides typically obtained from?
Hides are typically obtained from large animals like cows, horses, and buffalo.
What is hide?
Hide is the raw, unprocessed skin of an animal.
What is tanning?
Tanning is the process of treating hide to convert it into leather by stabilizing its protein structure and making it resistant to decay.
What are some uses of leather?
Leather is used in clothing, accessories, furniture, automotive interiors, and more.
Can hide be dyed or finished?
Hide in its raw form is usually not dyed or finished, unlike leather which can be treated in various ways.
What are some uses of hide?
Hide is used for traditional purposes such as making rawhide products and as a covering for shelters.
What is rawhide?
Rawhide is untreated hide that has been dried and is often used for traditional crafts like drum skins and laces.
What is leather?
Leather is hide that has been processed and treated through tanning.
How is hide different from leather?
Hide is untreated and in its natural state, while leather is tanned and finished, making it durable and flexible.
Can hide be used directly without processing?
Yes, hide can be used directly for certain traditional uses, but it is not as durable as leather.
What is the appearance of leather?
Leather has a smooth, finished appearance with the hair and natural oils removed, and it can be dyed or embossed.
What types of leather finishes are there?
Leather can have various finishes, including aniline, semi-aniline, and pigmented finishes.
How long does leather last compared to hide?
Leather lasts much longer than untreated hide due to its durability and resistance to decay.
What makes leather durable?
The tanning process removes natural oils and stabilizes the protein structure, making leather resistant to decay and wear.
How is hide preserved before processing?
Hide is often cured through salting or drying to prevent decomposition before tanning.
Can hide be used for clothing?
Hide is generally not used for clothing in its raw form due to its stiffness and lack of durability compared to leather.
What is the appearance of hide?
Hide retains its hair and natural oils, giving it a more rugged and natural look.
What are the environmental impacts of leather production?
Leather production has environmental impacts, including water use and chemical waste from tanning, but there are sustainable practices being developed.
Is leather biodegradable?
Leather is biodegradable, but it decomposes much slower than untreated hide due to the tanning process.
Why is leather considered luxurious?
Leather is considered luxurious due to its durability, aesthetic appeal, and the craftsmanship involved in its processing.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
