adenoid

2 synonyms for adenoid, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A cluster of glandular (lymphoid) tissue behind the nose, at the top of the throat, that can enlarge and obstruct breathing in children.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

pharyngeal tonsil adenoidal

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun medical

A cluster of glandular (lymphoid) tissue behind the nose, at the top of the throat, that can enlarge and obstruct breathing in children.

“The child's adenoids were removed after repeated ear infections.”

pharyngeal tonsil

2. adjective medical

Relating to the adenoids, or to glandular tissue generally.

“The surgeon noted adenoid swelling on the scan.”

adenoidal

How to use adenoid

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

swollen adenoids enlarged adenoids remove the adenoids adenoid tissue

It is a medical term, mostly heard from doctors or in health contexts, and is usually used in the plural.

Etymology

Adenoid entered English in the late nineteenth century from French adenoide, which came from New Latin adenoides and ultimately from Ancient Greek, where it meant 'gland-like'. It combines the Greek word for gland with an ending meaning 'resembling' or 'shaped like'.

Full origin of adenoid →

Frequently asked questions

What are adenoids?

Adenoids are a cluster of glandular tissue behind the nose, at the top of the throat, that helps the body fight infection.

Why are adenoids sometimes removed?

They are sometimes removed in children when they become abnormally enlarged and block the nose or ears.

Where does the word adenoid come from?

It comes from Ancient Greek by way of French and New Latin, and it literally means 'gland-like'.

Nearby words

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