noun
ulcer
UHL-suh
Ulcer (noun) means an open, slow-healing sore on the skin or inside the body, often caused by irritation or infection. Example: “The doctor diagnosed a stomach ulcer after months of abdominal pain.”
noun
1
An open, slow-healing sore on the skin or inside the body, often caused by irritation or infection.
"The doctor diagnosed a stomach ulcer after months of abdominal pain."
"Stress and certain bacteria can both contribute to peptic ulcers."
2
Something corrupting or eating away at a person, situation, or organisation, likened to an open sore.
"Corruption had become an ulcer at the heart of the government."
How to use ulcer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sore that won't heal easily — on the body, or figuratively, a problem that keeps eating away at something.
Common pairings
stomach ulcer
peptic ulcer
ulcer flares up
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Word forms
- Plural
- ulcers
- Third person singular
- ulcers
- Past tense
- ulcered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor diagnosed a stomach _____ after months of abdominal pain.
Etymology
From Old French "ulcere", from Latin "ulcus".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ulcer” mean?
The word “ulcer” means an open, slow-healing sore on the skin or inside the body, often caused by irritation or infection. In plain terms, a sore that won't heal easily — on the body, or figuratively, a problem that keeps eating away at something.
How do you pronounce “ulcer”?
“Ulcer” is pronounced UHL-suh (/ˈʌlsɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ulcer” in a sentence?
Here is “ulcer” used in a sentence: “The doctor diagnosed a stomach ulcer after months of abdominal pain.”
What part of speech is “ulcer”?
“Ulcer” is a noun.
Where does the word “ulcer” come from?
The word “ulcer” comes from Latin. From Old French "ulcere", from Latin "ulcus".
How many meanings does “ulcer” have?
“Ulcer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an open, slow-healing sore on the skin or inside the body, often caused by irritation or infection.
