noun

coccyx

KOK-sihks

Coccyx (noun) means the small, triangular bone at the very bottom of the spine, formed from fused vertebrae; the tailbone. Example: “She fractured her coccyx after slipping on the ice.”

noun

The small, triangular bone at the very bottom of the spine, formed from fused vertebrae; the tailbone.

"She fractured her coccyx after slipping on the ice."

How to use coccyx

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe tailbone, at the bottom of the spine.

Common pairings

a bruised coccyx coccyx pain

Word forms

coccyges plural

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She fractured her _____ after slipping on the ice.

Etymology

From Greek kokkyx, "cuckoo" — an ancient anatomist thought the bone's curve resembled a cuckoo's beak.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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tail bone

Frequently asked questions

What does “coccyx” mean?

The word “coccyx” means the small, triangular bone at the very bottom of the spine, formed from fused vertebrae; the tailbone. In plain terms, the tailbone, at the bottom of the spine.

How do you pronounce “coccyx”?

“Coccyx” is pronounced KOK-sihks (/ˈkɑksɪks/ in IPA).

How do you use “coccyx” in a sentence?

Here is “coccyx” used in a sentence: “She fractured her coccyx after slipping on the ice.”

What part of speech is “coccyx”?

“Coccyx” is a noun.

Where does the word “coccyx” come from?

The word “coccyx” comes from Greek. From Greek kokkyx, "cuckoo" — an ancient anatomist thought the bone's curve resembled a cuckoo's beak.

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Vocabulary lists that include coccyx:

Words with Greek origins Words that end with X