coma
4 synonyms for coma, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be woken, usually caused by severe illness or injury.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use coma
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fall into a coma
induced coma
come out of a coma
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Ancient Greek kôma, meaning "deep sleep."
Full origin of coma →Frequently asked questions
What does “coma” mean?
The word “coma” means a deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be woken, usually caused by severe illness or injury. In plain terms, a state of total unconsciousness someone can't be roused from — or, in astronomy, the glowing haze around a comet's core.
How do you pronounce “coma”?
“Coma” is pronounced KOH-muh (/ˈkoʊmə/ in IPA).
How do you use “coma” in a sentence?
Here is “coma” used in a sentence: “He spent three weeks in a coma after the car accident.”
What part of speech is “coma”?
“Coma” is a noun.
Where does the word “coma” come from?
The word “coma” comes from Ancient Greek. A learned borrowing from Ancient Greek kôma, meaning "deep sleep.".
Is “coma” a common word?
“Coma” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “coma” have?
“Coma” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be woken, usually caused by severe illness or injury.
What is the difference between a coma and being unconscious?
General unconsciousness can be brief, such as fainting, and a person often wakes on their own. A coma is a deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be woken, typically caused by severe illness or injury, and it lasts much longer.
What causes a coma?
A coma is usually caused by severe illness or injury that affects brain function, such as a major head trauma, stroke, or serious medical condition. Because the underlying cause varies, the depth and duration of a coma also vary from person to person.
Does coma always refer to a medical condition?
No, coma also has an astronomical meaning: it refers to the hazy cloud of gas and dust surrounding the solid nucleus of a comet. This sense is unrelated to the medical meaning and is used specifically in descriptions of comets.
