Coma: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in medical contexts to describe a deep state of prolonged unconsciousness where a person cannot be awakened and does not respond to stimuli.

• The patient has been in a coma for several weeks following the accident.
• Doctors are worried about potential brain damage due to the long-lasting coma.

Describes a state where a person is not awake and not aware of their surroundings. This can be temporary or due to injury or illness.

• The boxer was knocked into unconsciousness by a powerful punch.
• After the fall, she drifted in and out of unconsciousness until the paramedics arrived.

Refers to a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility, often temporary and used in both medical and casual contexts.

• After the anesthetic was administered, the patient fell into a stupor.
• He was in a drunken stupor for most of the night.

Used in medical contexts to describe a condition where a person is awake but not aware of themselves or their surroundings. This state can be chronic or persistent.

• The patient has been in a vegetative state for over a year, showing no signs of improvement.
• Family members are struggling to decide on the best care plan for their loved one in a vegetative state.

This term is used in medical situations when someone is in a state of prolonged unconsciousness.

• The patient has been in a coma for three days now.
• After the accident, he fell into a deep coma.

A punctuation mark used in writing to indicate a brief pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

• Please, take apples, oranges, and bananas from the market.
• He is a smart, diligent, and friendly student.

A temporary stop or break in speaking, playing music, or any activity.

• There was a long pause before he answered the question.
• She read the sentence aloud, without a single pause.

An object, device, or symbol that keeps things apart or helps differentiate between different sections, parts or groups.

• Use a comma as a separator in this list.
• The room is divided by a glass separator.