What does "adenoid" mean?
an abnormally enlarged mass of lymphatic tissue at the back of the pharynx, often obstructing the nasal and ear passages and hindering speaking and breathing in young children.
Adenoid
/ˈad.ɪn.ɔɪd/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: an abnormally enlarged mass of lymphatic tissue at the back of the pharynx, often obstructing the nasal and ear passages and hindering speaking and breathing in young children.
- Grammar: adenoid is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: pharyngeal tonsil, adenoidal hypertrophy, luschka's tonsil, nasopharyngeal tonsil.
- Usage evidence: Tom had to have his tonsils and adenoid removed because they were enlarged and it gave him trouble sleeping.
How to use "adenoid"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "adenoid" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "adenoid" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Check whether "adenoid" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 an abnormally enlarged mass of lymphatic tissue at the back of the pharynx, often obstructing the nasal and ear passages and hindering speaking and breathing in young children.
- 2 a collection of lymphatic tissue in the throat behind the uvula (on the posterior wall and roof of the nasopharynx) wordnet
- 3 Such a mass when not abnormally enlarged, covered by ciliated epithelium and located in the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx at the back of the throat behind the uvula. plural-normally
Adjective
- 1 Of or relating to lymphatic glands or lymphoid tissue. not-comparable, relational
- 2 Of or pertaining to the adenoids. not-comparable, relational
- 3 Relating to, affected with, or associated with abnormally enlarged adenoids. not-comparable, relational
Adjective
- 1 relating to or resembling lymphatic glands or lymphoid tissue wordnet
Synonyms
All synonyms pharyngeal tonsiladenoidal hypertrophyluschka's tonsilnasopharyngeal tonsilnasopharyngeal tonsillar enlargementthird tonsil
Example
"Tom had to have his tonsils and adenoid removed because they were enlarged and it gave him trouble sleeping."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "adenoid"?
Common synonyms include: pharyngeal tonsil, adenoidal hypertrophy, luschka's tonsil, nasopharyngeal tonsil, nasopharyngeal tonsillar enlargement, third tonsil.
How do you use "adenoid" in a sentence?
Tom had to have his tonsils and adenoid removed because they were enlarged and it gave him trouble sleeping.
How do you pronounce "adenoid"?
Pronounced /ˈad.ɪn.ɔɪd/.
Etymology
Late 19th century borrowing from French adénoïde, from New Latin adenoīdēs, from Ancient Greek ᾰ̓δενοειδής (ădenoeidḗs, “glandular”), from ᾰ̓δήν (ădḗn, “gland”) + -ο- (-o-) + -ειδής (-eidḗs, “-oid, -like”); equivalent to aden- + -oid. The noun is derived from ellipsis of tumeur adénoïde (“glandular tumor”).