noun
carcinogen
kar-SIN-uh-jun
Carcinogen (noun) means a substance or agent that can cause cancer. Example: “Tobacco smoke contains several well-known carcinogens.”
noun
1
A substance or agent that can cause cancer.
"Tobacco smoke contains several well-known carcinogens."
"The lab tested the new dye to check whether it behaved as a carcinogen."
"Long-term exposure to that carcinogen was linked to a rise in workplace illness."
How to use carcinogen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA carcinogen is something that can cause cancer.
When to use it
The word is used in everyday health reporting as well as in scientific and medical writing.
Memory tip
Notice the stress falls on the second syllable, sin, not on carc-.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
known carcinogen
exposure to a carcinogen
classified as a carcinogen
potential carcinogen
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Tobacco smoke contains several well-known _____.
Etymology
Carcinogen is built from two combining forms joined together: carcino-, which relates to cancer, and -gen, which means something that produces or brings about. Joined together, the word describes something that generates cancer.
Rhymes for carcinogen
See all rhymes for carcinogen →Frequently asked questions
What does carcinogen mean?
A carcinogen is any substance or agent capable of causing cancer.
Is carcinogen the same as carcinogenic?
Carcinogen is the noun for the substance itself, while carcinogenic is the adjective describing something that has that cancer-causing property.
What is an example of a carcinogen?
Substances found in tobacco smoke are commonly cited examples of carcinogens.
What is the meaning of carcinogen?
"carcinogen" (noun) means a substance or agent that can cause cancer.
