noun
dysphagia
dis-FAY-juh
Dysphagia (noun) means Difficulty in swallowing, treated as a medical symptom. Example: “The stroke left her with dysphagia, making it hard to swallow solid food.”
noun
1
Difficulty in swallowing, treated as a medical symptom.
"The stroke left her with dysphagia, making it hard to swallow solid food."
"Doctors assessed his dysphagia before letting him eat normally again."
"Dysphagia can make even drinking water feel uncomfortable."
How to use dysphagia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe medical word for having trouble swallowing.
When to use it
It's a formal, clinical term used mainly by medical professionals.
Memory tip
Don't confuse it with dysphasia, which is about language rather than swallowing.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
dysphasia
Common pairings
dysphagia symptoms
manage dysphagia
dysphagia diagnosis
signs of dysphagia
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The stroke left her with _____, making it hard to swallow solid food.
Etymology
Dysphagia is built from the prefix dys-, meaning difficult or impaired, joined to -phagia, relating to eating or swallowing.
Synonyms
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dysphagy
Rhymes for dysphagia
See all rhymes for dysphagia →Frequently asked questions
What is dysphagia?
It's the medical term for having difficulty swallowing.
Is dysphagia a disease or a symptom?
It's generally described as a symptom, difficulty swallowing, rather than a disease in its own right.
Is there another word for dysphagia?
Yes, dysphagy is used as a synonym.
What is the meaning of dysphagia?
"dysphagia" (noun) means difficulty in swallowing, treated as a medical symptom.
