coma
KOH-muh
Coma (noun) means a deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be woken, usually caused by severe illness or injury. Example: “He spent three weeks in a coma after the car accident.”
noun
1
A deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be woken, usually caused by severe illness or injury.
"He spent three weeks in a coma after the car accident."
"Doctors monitored her brain activity closely while she remained in a coma."
"The nurse explained that a patient in a coma cannot respond to voices or touch."
2
The hazy cloud of gas and dust surrounding the solid nucleus of a comet.
"Sunlight heats the comet's ice, releasing gas that forms its glowing coma."
"Telescopes showed the comet's coma stretching far wider than its tiny solid core."
"As the comet neared the sun, its coma grew larger and brighter."
How to use coma
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA state of total unconsciousness someone can't be roused from — or, in astronomy, the glowing haze around a comet's core.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "comma," the punctuation mark — they sound different but are frequently mistyped for each other.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fall into a coma
induced coma
come out of a coma
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Word forms
- Plural
- comas, comae
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He spent three weeks in a _____ after the car accident.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Ancient Greek kôma, meaning "deep sleep."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for coma
See all rhymes for 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.
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