staph
2 synonyms for staph, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A common type of bacteria (Staphylococcus) that lives on skin and can cause infections ranging from minor boils to serious illness.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
staphylococci
staphylococcus
How to use staph
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
staph infection
test positive for staph
staph bacteria
Etymology
A shortened, everyday form of "staphylococcus," itself from Greek staphylē ("bunch of grapes," describing how the bacteria cluster together under a microscope) + kokkos ("berry").
Full origin of staph →Frequently asked questions
What does “staph” mean?
The word “staph” means a common type of bacteria (Staphylococcus) that lives on skin and can cause infections ranging from minor boils to serious illness. In plain terms, the informal, everyday word for a staphylococcus infection.
How do you pronounce “staph”?
“Staph” is pronounced staf (/stæf/ in IPA).
How do you use “staph” in a sentence?
Here is “staph” used in a sentence: “The cut got infected and tested positive for staph.”
What part of speech is “staph”?
“Staph” is a noun.
Where does the word “staph” come from?
The word “staph” comes from Greek. A shortened, everyday form of "staphylococcus," itself from Greek staphylē ("bunch of grapes," describing how the bacteria cluster together under a microscope) + kokkos ("berry").
