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
1
Serving as an artificial replacement for part of the body.
"She has a prosthetic hand that responds to muscle movements."
noun
1
An artificial body part; a prosthesis.
"The runner competed using carbon-fibre prosthetics."
"Fitting a good prosthetic can take several attempts."
2
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 notesIn 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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like prosthetic.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- prosthetics
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Rhymes for prosthetic
See all rhymes for prosthetic →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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include prosthetic:
