noun
psoriasis
suh-REYE-uh-sihs
Psoriasis (noun) means a long-term skin condition that causes red, inflamed patches covered in silvery, flaky scales. Example: “Her psoriasis flared up on her elbows during the stressful exam period.”
noun
1
A long-term skin condition that causes red, inflamed patches covered in silvery, flaky scales.
"Her psoriasis flared up on her elbows during the stressful exam period."
"The dermatologist prescribed a steroid cream to calm the psoriasis patches."
"He suffers from a skin complaint, psoriasis, which has rendered his hands scaly, hard and red."
— Ian McEwan, Nutshell (2016)
How to use psoriasis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA chronic skin disease that produces itchy, scaly red patches — not contagious, and often linked to the immune system.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with eczema, a different (though similar-looking) skin condition.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
psoriasis flare-up
scalp psoriasis
psoriasis patches
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Word forms
- Plural
- psoriases
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ flared up on her elbows during the stressful exam period.
Etymology
From Greek psora ("itch") plus the medical suffix -sis, via Late Latin psoriasis.
Rhymes for psoriasis
See all rhymes for psoriasis →Frequently asked questions
What does “psoriasis” mean?
The word “psoriasis” means a long-term skin condition that causes red, inflamed patches covered in silvery, flaky scales. In plain terms, a chronic skin disease that produces itchy, scaly red patches — not contagious, and often linked to the immune system.
How do you pronounce “psoriasis”?
“Psoriasis” is pronounced suh-REYE-uh-sihs (/səˈɹaɪ.əsɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “psoriasis” in a sentence?
Here is “psoriasis” used in a sentence: “Her psoriasis flared up on her elbows during the stressful exam period.”
What part of speech is “psoriasis”?
“Psoriasis” is a noun.
Where does the word “psoriasis” come from?
The word “psoriasis” comes from Late Latin. From Greek psora ("itch") plus the medical suffix -sis, via Late Latin psoriasis.
