adj

visceral

VIH-suh-ruhl

adj

Relating to the internal organs of the body.

"The surgeon explained the visceral damage caused by the accident."

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

more visceral comparative, most visceral superlative

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The surgeon explained the _____ damage caused by the accident.

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

intellectual

intelligent mundane intellectual genius

feral general liberal funeral lateral mineral federal several ephemeral bilateral collateral unilateral

intellectual intelligent mundane genius