proximal
Proximal (adj) means Located nearer to the center of the body, a point of attachment, or a point of reference. Example: “The proximal end of the femur connects to the hip joint.”
How to use proximal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNearer to a reference point — often used in anatomy to mean "closer to the body's center."
Easy to mix up with its opposite, distal ("farther away") — proximal always means closer.
Word forms
more proximal comparative, most proximal superlative
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Can you complete this real example?
The _____ end of the femur connects to the hip joint.
Etymology
From Latin proximus, the superlative form of prope, "near."
Antonyms
Rhymes for proximal
See all rhymes for proximal →Frequently asked questions
What does “proximal” mean?
The word “proximal” means located nearer to the center of the body, a point of attachment, or a point of reference. In plain terms, nearer to a reference point — often used in anatomy to mean "closer to the body's center.".
How do you pronounce “proximal”?
“Proximal” is pronounced PROK-sih-muhl (/ˈpɹɒksɪməl/ in IPA).
How do you use “proximal” in a sentence?
Here is “proximal” used in a sentence: “The proximal end of the femur connects to the hip joint.”
What is the opposite of “proximal”?
The opposite of “proximal” — its antonyms — are antonym(s) of “closer to the point of attachment and closer to the speaker”.
What part of speech is “proximal”?
“Proximal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “proximal” come from?
The word “proximal” comes from Latin. From Latin proximus, the superlative form of prope, "near.".
How many meanings does “proximal” have?
“Proximal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: located nearer to the center of the body, a point of attachment, or a point of reference.
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