noun
ulcer
UHL-suh
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
Word Forms
ulcered past tense, ulcers plural, ulcers singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “ulcer”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
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".