noun
otitis
oh-TY-tis
Otitis (noun) means Inflammation of the ear. Example: “The doctor diagnosed otitis after the child complained of pain in her left ear.”
noun
1
medical Inflammation of the ear.
"The doctor diagnosed otitis after the child complained of pain in her left ear."
"Otitis is a common reason for young children to be taken to the doctor."
"The doctor prescribed ear drops for his otitis."
How to use otitis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA medical word for an inflamed ear.
When to use it
It is a technical term, used mostly by doctors and in medical writing.
Memory tip
The ending -itis signals inflammation, so otitis is simply ear inflammation.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
otitis media
otitis externa
acute otitis
chronic otitis
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The doctor diagnosed _____ after the child complained of pain in her left ear.
Etymology
The word is built from the prefix ot- and the suffix -itis, which together give the sense of inflammation of the ear.
Rhymes for otitis
itis
gastritis
sinusitis
hepatitis
arthritis
dermatitis
gingivitis
laryngitis
bronchitis
meningitis
peritonitis
tonsillitis
See all rhymes for otitis →
Frequently asked questions
What does otitis mean?
Otitis means inflammation of the ear. It is a medical term.
What is the plural of otitis?
The plural can be otitides or otitizes.
How do you pronounce otitis?
It is pronounced oh-TY-tis, with the stress on the second syllable.
What is the meaning of otitis?
"otitis" (noun) means inflammation of the ear.
