sputum
2 synonyms for sputum, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The thick mucus coughed up from the lungs and airways, often examined by doctors to identify an infection.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use sputum
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sputum sample
sputum culture
purulent sputum
produce sputum
Medical; in everyday speech people say phlegm.
Etymology
From Latin 'sputum', the past participle of 'spuere' meaning 'to spit'.
Full origin of sputum →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between sputum and saliva?
Saliva is produced in the mouth and is thin and watery. Sputum comes up from the lower airways and lungs and is thicker. A sputum sample is only useful for testing if it is genuinely coughed up rather than spat from the mouth.
What is the difference between sputum and phlegm?
They refer to much the same substance. Phlegm is the everyday word for airway mucus; sputum is the clinical term, used specifically for the material that has been coughed out and can be collected and examined.
What does the colour of sputum mean?
Clear or white is usually unremarkable, yellow or green suggests the immune system is active and may point to infection, and rust-coloured or bloody sputum needs prompt medical attention. Colour alone never confirms a diagnosis.
