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adj Uncommon

visceral

VIH-suh-ruhl

Visceral (adj) means relating to the internal organs of the body. Example: “The surgeon explained the visceral damage caused by the accident.”

adj
1
Relating to the internal organs of the body.
"The surgeon explained the visceral damage caused by the accident."
2
Felt as a deep, instinctive gut reaction rather than a reasoned thought.
"She had a visceral fear of heights that no amount of logic could talk her out of."
"The film provoked a visceral response from the audience."

How to use visceral

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither literally about internal organs, or, more commonly, describing a strong, instinctive gut feeling.

Common pairings
a visceral reaction visceral fear a visceral response

Word forms

more visceral comparative, most visceral superlative

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

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The surgeon explained the _____ damage caused by the accident.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin visceralis, "internal," from Latin viscera, "internal organs."

Origin: Medieval Latin

Related words

Rhymes for visceral

See all rhymes for visceral →

Frequently asked questions

What does “visceral” mean?

The word “visceral” means relating to the internal organs of the body. In plain terms, either literally about internal organs, or, more commonly, describing a strong, instinctive gut feeling.

How do you pronounce “visceral”?

“Visceral” is pronounced VIH-suh-ruhl (/ˈvɪsəɹəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “visceral” in a sentence?

Here is “visceral” used in a sentence: “The surgeon explained the visceral damage caused by the accident.”

What is the opposite of “visceral”?

The opposite of “visceral” — its antonyms — is intellectual.

What part of speech is “visceral”?

“Visceral” is an adjective.

Where does the word “visceral” come from?

The word “visceral” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin visceralis, "internal," from Latin viscera, "internal organs.".

Is “visceral” a common word?

“Visceral” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “visceral” have?

“Visceral” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the internal organs of the body.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial