adj Uncommon

prosthetic

pros-THEH-tihk

Prosthetic (adj) means serving as an artificial replacement for part of the body. Example: “She has a prosthetic hand that responds to muscle movements.”

adj

Serving as an artificial replacement for part of the body.

"She has a prosthetic hand that responds to muscle movements."

noun

An artificial body part; a prosthesis.

"The runner competed using carbon-fibre prosthetics."

"Fitting a good prosthetic can take several attempts."

A costume piece added to an actor's body to alter their appearance.

"The makeup artist spent hours applying prosthetics for the monster costume."

How to use prosthetic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRelating to an artificial body part, or the artificial part itself — also used for special-effects makeup pieces.

Common pairings

prosthetic limb prosthetic makeup prosthetic device

Word forms

prosthetics plural

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She has a _____ hand that responds to muscle movements.

Etymology

From New Latin prostheticus, from Ancient Greek prosthetikós ("adding, giving extra power"), tied to the same root as prosthesis.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Rhymes for prosthetic

poetic genetic heretic kinetic ascetic diuretic frenetic magnetic cosmetic athletic diabetic pathetic

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Frequently asked questions

What does “prosthetic” mean?

The word “prosthetic” means serving as an artificial replacement for part of the body. In plain terms, relating to an artificial body part, or the artificial part itself — also used for special-effects makeup pieces.

How do you pronounce “prosthetic”?

“Prosthetic” is pronounced pros-THEH-tihk (/ˌpɹɑsˈθɛtɪk/ in IPA).

How do you use “prosthetic” in a sentence?

Here is “prosthetic” used in a sentence: “She has a prosthetic hand that responds to muscle movements.”

What part of speech is “prosthetic”?

Depending on how it is used, “prosthetic” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “prosthetic” come from?

The word “prosthetic” comes from Ancient Greek. From New Latin prostheticus, from Ancient Greek prosthetikós ("adding, giving extra power"), tied to the same root as prosthesis.

Is “prosthetic” a common word?

“Prosthetic” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “prosthetic” have?

“Prosthetic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: serving as an artificial replacement for part of the body.

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