inflammation
ihnf-luh-MAY-shuhn
Inflammation (noun) means a part of the body becoming red, swollen, hot, and painful, usually as a reaction to injury or infection. Example: “The doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory to reduce the inflammation in his knee.”
noun
1
A part of the body becoming red, swollen, hot, and painful, usually as a reaction to injury or infection.
"The doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory to reduce the inflammation in his knee."
"Chronic inflammation has been linked to a range of long-term illnesses."
"The cut on her finger was red, hot and swollen, a clear sign of inflammation."
How to use inflammation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe body's swelling-and-heat response to injury, irritation, or infection.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reduce inflammation
chronic inflammation
sign of inflammation
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Word forms
- Plural
- inflammations
Fill the gap
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The doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory to reduce the _____ in his knee.
Etymology
From Latin inflammatio, built on inflame.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for inflammation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for inflammation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “inflammation” mean?
The word “inflammation” means a part of the body becoming red, swollen, hot, and painful, usually as a reaction to injury or infection. In plain terms, the body's swelling-and-heat response to injury, irritation, or infection.
How do you pronounce “inflammation”?
“Inflammation” is pronounced ihnf-luh-MAY-shuhn (/ɪnfləˈmeɪ̯ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “inflammation” in a sentence?
Here is “inflammation” used in a sentence: “The doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory to reduce the inflammation in his knee.”
What part of speech is “inflammation”?
“Inflammation” is a noun.
Where does the word “inflammation” come from?
The word “inflammation” comes from Latin. From Latin inflammatio, built on inflame.
Is “inflammation” a common word?
“Inflammation” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between inflammation and infection?
Inflammation is the body's reaction of becoming red, swollen, hot, and painful, usually in response to injury or infection, while infection is the invasion of the body by harmful germs. Inflammation can occur without infection, such as from an injury or allergic reaction.
What are common signs of inflammation?
The typical signs of inflammation are redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the affected part of the body, reflecting the body's natural reaction to injury or infection.
What is the difference between inflammation and inflammatory?
Inflammation is the noun naming the physical reaction itself, while inflammatory is the adjective describing something that relates to or causes that reaction, as in 'inflammatory response' or 'inflammatory disease.'
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