itis
Itis (noun) means informal term for any condition marked by inflammation, taken loosely from medical terms like "arthritis" or "tonsillitis.". Example: “The doctor joked that his sore knee was just a case of "itis.”
How to use itis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInformally, either a vague "inflamed something" or, in slang, the food-coma drowsiness after a big meal.
Very informal — not used in clinical or formal writing.
Word forms
itises plural
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The doctor joked that his sore knee was just a case of "_____."
Etymology
A back-formation from the medical suffix -itis, which denotes inflammation (as in "bronchitis" or "appendicitis").
Rhymes for itis
See all rhymes for itis →Frequently asked questions
What does “itis” mean?
The word “itis” means informal term for any condition marked by inflammation, taken loosely from medical terms like "arthritis" or "tonsillitis.". In plain terms, informally, either a vague "inflamed something" or, in slang, the food-coma drowsiness after a big meal.
How do you pronounce “itis”?
“Itis” is pronounced EYE-tihs (/ˈaɪtɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “itis” in a sentence?
Here is “itis” used in a sentence: “The doctor joked that his sore knee was just a case of "itis.".”
What part of speech is “itis”?
“Itis” is a noun.
How many meanings does “itis” have?
“Itis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal term for any condition marked by inflammation, taken loosely from medical terms like "arthritis" or "tonsillitis.".
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