noun
staph
staf
Staph (noun) means a common type of bacteria (Staphylococcus) that lives on skin and can cause infections ranging from minor boils to serious illness. Example: “The cut got infected and tested positive for staph.”
noun
1
A common type of bacteria (Staphylococcus) that lives on skin and can cause infections ranging from minor boils to serious illness.
"The cut got infected and tested positive for staph."
"Hospitals take staph infections seriously because some strains resist antibiotics."
How to use staph
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe informal, everyday word for a staphylococcus infection.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "strep" (Streptococcus), a different bacteria that causes strep throat.
Easily confused with
strep
Common pairings
staph infection
test positive for staph
staph bacteria
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Word forms
- Plural
- staphs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cut got infected and tested positive for _____.
Etymology
A shortened, everyday form of "staphylococcus," itself from Greek staphylē ("bunch of grapes," describing how the bacteria cluster together under a microscope) + kokkos ("berry").
Synonyms
View more →
staphylococci
staphylococcus
Related words
Rhymes for staph
See all rhymes for staph →Frequently asked questions
What does “staph” mean?
The word “staph” means a common type of bacteria (Staphylococcus) that lives on skin and can cause infections ranging from minor boils to serious illness. In plain terms, the informal, everyday word for a staphylococcus infection.
How do you pronounce “staph”?
“Staph” is pronounced staf (/stæf/ in IPA).
How do you use “staph” in a sentence?
Here is “staph” used in a sentence: “The cut got infected and tested positive for staph.”
What part of speech is “staph”?
“Staph” is a noun.
Where does the word “staph” come from?
The word “staph” comes from Greek. A shortened, everyday form of "staphylococcus," itself from Greek staphylē ("bunch of grapes," describing how the bacteria cluster together under a microscope) + kokkos ("berry").
