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Bedridden: meaning, definitions and examples

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bedridden

 

[ ˈbɛdrɪd(ə)n ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

health

Confined to bed because of illness or infirmity.

Synonyms

confined to bed, immobile, incapacitated.

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Word Description / Examples
bedridden

Used to describe someone who is confined to bed due to illness or injury for an extended period. It often has a somewhat grim or serious connotation.

  • After the major surgery, he was bedridden for several weeks.
  • The elderly woman has been bedridden since last winter due to her chronic illness.
confined to bed

Similar to 'bedridden', but can be used in more temporary situations or less formal contexts. It emphasizes the physical state of being restricted to bed.

  • She caught the flu and has been confined to bed for a few days.
  • The injury from the car accident has left him confined to bed for recovery.
immobile

Often describes a temporary or permanent state where movement is significantly limited. It doesn't strictly imply being in bed but rather an inability to move.

  • The paralysis left him immobile from the waist down.
  • The heavy cast on her leg made her almost immobile.
incapacitated

Describes someone who is unable to perform normal activities due to illness or injury. This term can apply to being bedridden but also to general inability to function normally. It sometimes has a more formal or medical tone.

  • He was incapacitated by a severe migraine and couldn’t go to work.
  • The stroke left her incapacitated, requiring full-time care.

Examples of usage

  • She has been bedridden for weeks after the accident.
  • The patient is bedridden and requires constant care.
  • The elderly man is bedridden and unable to move on his own.

Translations

Translations of the word "bedridden" in other languages:

🇵🇹 encamado

🇮🇳 बिस्तर पर रहने वाला

🇩🇪 bettruhe

🇮🇩 terbaring

🇺🇦 прикутий до ліжка

🇵🇱 przywiązany do łóżka

🇯🇵 寝たきり

🇫🇷 alité

🇪🇸 postrado en la cama

🇹🇷 yatağa bağlı

🇰🇷 침대에 누워 있는

🇸🇦 ملازم السرير

🇨🇿 upoutaný na lůžko

🇸🇰 pripútaný na lôžko

🇨🇳 卧床不起

🇸🇮 prikovan na postel

🇮🇸 liggjandi

🇰🇿 кереуетке таңылған

🇬🇪 საწოლში მყოფი

🇦🇿 yatağa bağlı

🇲🇽 postrado en la cama

Etymology

The word 'bedridden' originated from the combination of 'bed' + 'ridden', with 'ridden' in this context meaning 'suffering from or troubled with'. The term has been in use since the 17th century to describe individuals who are confined to bed due to illness or infirmity. Being bedridden can be a challenging experience, requiring assistance and care from others to ensure comfort and well-being.

See also: bed, bedclothes, bedding, bedrock, bedroom, bedspread, bedtime.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,049, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.