noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

tuberculosis

choo-burk-yuu-LOH-sihs

Quiz me More like this

Tuberculosis (noun) means a serious infectious disease, usually affecting the lungs, caused by a bacterium and marked by coughing, fever, and weight loss. Example: “Tuberculosis was once one of the leading causes of death before effective antibiotics were developed.”

noun

A serious infectious disease, usually affecting the lungs, caused by a bacterium and marked by coughing, fever, and weight loss.

"Tuberculosis was once one of the leading causes of death before effective antibiotics were developed."

"The clinic offers free screening for tuberculosis to anyone who has travelled recently."

"Doctors treat tuberculosis with a long course of several medicines."

How to use tuberculosis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA serious lung infection, often shortened to "TB."

Memory tip

You will almost always see this word abbreviated to TB in everyday speech and writing.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

tuberculosis diagnosis strain of tuberculosis pulmonary tuberculosis

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like tuberculosis.

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

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: tuberculoses

Test yourself on “tuberculosis” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ was once one of the leading causes of death before effective antibiotics were developed.

Etymology

Coined in the 1800s from Latin tuberculum ("small swelling") plus -osis ("diseased condition"), because the infection produces small lump-like nodules, or tubercles, in the lungs. For centuries before this scientific name existed, English simply called the disease "consumption," since it seemed to consume the sufferer's body away.

Origin: Latin · First attested 1800

Class of 1800 tuberculosis joined the language around 1800.

alcohol Aryan Australia availability bah

See the full Class of 1800 →

Synonyms

View more →

consumption TB

Related words

use consumer consumption usage expenditure intake TB uptake

Rhymes for tuberculosis

meiosis mitosis osmosis stenosis acidosis zoonosis cyanosis necrosis neurosis hypnosis fibrosis silicosis

See all rhymes for tuberculosis →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tuberculosis” mean?

The word “tuberculosis” means a serious infectious disease, usually affecting the lungs, caused by a bacterium and marked by coughing, fever, and weight loss. In plain terms, a serious lung infection, often shortened to "TB.".

How do you pronounce “tuberculosis”?

“Tuberculosis” is pronounced choo-burk-yuu-LOH-sihs (/tuˌbɝkjʊˈloʊsɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “tuberculosis” in a sentence?

Here is “tuberculosis” used in a sentence: “Tuberculosis was once one of the leading causes of death before effective antibiotics were developed.”

What part of speech is “tuberculosis”?

“Tuberculosis” is a noun.

Where does the word “tuberculosis” come from?

The word “tuberculosis” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Latin.

Is “tuberculosis” a common word?

“Tuberculosis” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between tuberculosis and pneumonia?

Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease caused by a specific bacterium and marked by coughing, fever, and weight loss, often developing slowly over weeks or months. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs that can be caused by many different bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and it typically develops more quickly.

What are the main symptoms of tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is marked by a persistent cough, fever, and unexplained weight loss, since the disease usually affects the lungs. These symptoms often develop gradually rather than appearing suddenly.

Is tuberculosis contagious?

Yes, tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium, meaning it can spread from person to person, most commonly through the respiratory system. This is why it is classified as a serious infectious illness rather than a purely inherited or environmental condition.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include tuberculosis:

12 letter words

People also searched

use consumer consumption usage expenditure intake TB uptake